Heart of the City Neighborhoods

Hello supporters of HOCN!
Here's our monthly e-news updating you on what's been happening at Heart of the City Neighborhoods, Inc.!

Green Building Forum a Success!
On Wednesday, March 18, Heart of the City Neighborhoods hosted a Green Building Forum at Karpeles Manuscript Museum. The forum provided an opportunity for contractors, housing agencies, and public officials to learn about the benefits of producing energy efficient and environmentally responsible housing. Panelists included Kevin Connors, from eco_logic STUDIO, Sam Magavern, from the University at Buffalo Law School, and Nathan Rizzo, Vice President of Solar Liberty Energy Systems, Inc. Keynote speakers were Ann Petersen, Homeownership Coordinator for the City of Schenectady, and Dave Sadowsky, an architect from Petersburgh, New York. More than 95 people attended the event, which was followed by a cocktail reception. 

Read more at buffalo.com

Housing Summit on April 25th!
This month, Heart of the City, along with several West Side based community development organizations, Financial Institutions, local Realtors and the Office of the Attorney General is partnering to host a Housing Summit on April 25th. The housing summit will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2009 from 10 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. If you own a home, or have considered becoming a homeowner, don’t miss this event!

For more information and how to register for this FREE event, visit our website here!

Agencies involved include: Habitat for Humanity; Heart of the City Neighborhoods; HomeFront; HOPE Refugee Services; LISC; PUSH Buffalo; WEDI; Westside Community Collaborative; Westside Ministries; WestsideNHS.

  Social Networking:
HOCN is now on    Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr. Come check us out!

New Logo!
The votes have been tallied! Hundreds of   people weighed in on their favorite choice for a new Heart of the City Neighborhoods logo and they chose the following: 

This new logo will allow our residents near and far to know that Heart of the City is involved in more than just renovating neglected properties. We put life back into these homes by bringing in new homeowners. The lit homes is a direct illustration of that. Thank you all again who understood our mission enough to overwhelming respond to this logo choice.  

OUR MISSION   Heart of the City Neighborhoods, Inc. - (HOCN) is a 501(c)3 not- for-profit Community Development Corporation created to stabilize Buffalo’s core communities bounded by Michigan Avenue to the east, Lake Erie to the south, the Niagara River to the west, and Porter Avenue to the north, through redevelopment, neighborhood stabilization, and affordable housing development.

Heart of the City on the Scene!

Lunch and Learn with Arts and Nonprofit Leaders

On March 4, a Lunch and Learn with leaders from prominent arts and nonprofit organizations was held at Shea’s Smith Theatre. Approximately 65 people, including 15 leaders, one of which was HOCN’s very own Stephanie Simeon. At this event the mission was to stress the importance to the “Learners” about opportunities to S.A.V.E. - support our nonprofits, advocate for our nonprofits, volunteer for our nonprofits, and enjoy our nonprofits. A video created by electronic media sponsor Full Circle Studios highlighted three 360 member companies as another way to engage the membership in sharing their stories about working and living in our region. This learning event yielded volunteer support of two individuals for the Green Building Forum (held by HOCN) that was held a mere 14 days after!

On Saturday, April 25, CEPA Gallery will be auctioning off photographs taken by some of Buffalo's very interesting people. Can you guess which HOCN staffer was one of them? All of the photographs will be on exhibit during the month of April at CEPA Gallery. Come check them out before the event, and then be there on April 25th to bid on your favorite photo. Doors will open for the reception at 7 pm and the silent auction will be held from 7:30 - 9:00 pm. Admission is just $10! The reception will include hors d'oeuvres from area restaurants, a full cash bar and music by déja blü. Tickets and pre-registration recommended: 856-2717 or www.cepagallery.org

HOCN, Inc. was also selected to receive assistance from Rising Leaders from Leadership Buffalo. Leadership Buffalo's mission is to develop and unite leaders from diverse backgrounds and perspectives to increase their knowledge and understanding of community issues, broaden their vision, and enhance their individual and collective ability to lead. HOCN, with the help of the Rising Leaders, will assist in the Whitney Place Reclamation Project. The Whitney Place Reclamation Project has been developed to address the problems of this street and to further HOCN’s commitment to neighborhood stabilization and redevelopment. This plan utilizes a targeted approach in selecting properties within the focus area for rehabilitation projects occurring on the same block that will create a highly visible and contiguous presence, and deter some of the more flagrant illegal daytime activity that occurs. The overall investment in these properties will encourage neighborhood stabilization and eventually an increase in property values. 

 Stay tuned for more updates!