Category: Neighbors

NFTA and GBNRTC Receive Federal Contract to Improve Transportation Options for Older Adults, People With Disabilities, and Those with Low Incomes.

by Maria Morrealein Allentown, Amenities, Buffalo, Campus-wide, Community, Commuting, Electric Vehicle, Environment, Fruit Belt, Infrastructure, Neighbors, Technology

New Video Will Provide More Information for Users

Buffalo, New York – Buffalo All Access: In and around BNMC, a new initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) under the ITS4US Deployment Program, will use technology to improve transportation options for travelers in and around the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus (BNMC), regardless of ability, age, or income. The initiative aims to make it easier for people of all abilities to utilize public transit and access the many essential services and destinations on and around the medical campus. The initiative focuses on providing:

  • An All Access App: a mobile app, website (https://bnmc.org/allaccess), and call center for people to plan trips based on their unique needs and abilities.
  • A Shuttle Program: an on-demand community shuttle that includes both human-driven shuttles and a self-driving shuttle.
  • Smart Infrastructure: wayfinding technologies on the medical campus that assist people who need support with both outdoor navigation and indoor navigation (inside VIA and the Buffalo General Medical Center). 

The project is led by the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) in partnership with BNMC, the Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Council (GBNRTC), the University at Buffalo (UB), City of Buffalo, NITTEC, Kaleida Health, Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center, VIA, Heart of the City Neighborhoods, and FruitBelt Coalition, Inc. aka Fruit of the City. Consultant partners on the project include ICF, ETCH, RSG, and the Open Doors Organization. The project team has just produced an overview video that showcases more details about this project.  For more information, please watch the video on the website (https://bnmc.org/allaccess/).

Speaking about the project, Jamie Hamann-Burney, Director of Planning & Implementation for BNMC, said: “The lack of safe and inclusive trip planning and travel options for people of all abilities can be a major barrier to employment, healthcare, and other quality of life essentials in our community.  We’re thrilled to be a part of this initiative that will help break down these barriers.”

The ITS4US Deployment Program (https://its.dot.gov/its4us/) is a $40 million multimodal effort, led by the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Joint Program Office (JPO) and supported by the Office of the Secretary, the Federal Highway Administration, and the Federal Transit Administration, to identify ways to provide more efficient, affordable, and accessible transportation options for underserved communities that often face greater challenges in accessing essential services.

The U.S. DOT launched Phase 1 of the program in January 2021 and supported the concept development efforts of select sites, including Buffalo All Access. In June 2022, Buffalo All Access was selected to continue Phases 2 and 3 of the program, which includes the design, testing, operation, and evaluation of the deployment.

About Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus  

For more than twenty years, The Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus organization (BNMC) has been a driving force of Buffalo’s economic renaissance. Throughout its management of the growth of Buffalo’s premier innovation district, the BNMC has foregrounded smart economic, social, and environmental development, prioritizing health & well-being and sustainability. Today, the BNMC is focused on the next phase of Buffalo’s ongoing resurgence, cultivating inclusive innovation in partnership with our community. BNMC launched its flagship program, IC Success in 2021 to provide support to aspiring entrepreneurs from all backgrounds to help them start or grow a business. Program graduates form the heart of Buffalo’s growing Innovation Community comprised of businesses large and small in an array of disciplines and leading the region’s next wave of economic development and growth. BNMC  www.bnmc.org. 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Adriana Viverette

Digital Communications Manager

Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus

640 Ellicott, Buffalo, NY 14203

(716) 348-4126 aviverette@bnmc.org

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BNMC’s Micro-Grant Program, Spark, is now Accepting Proposals for Neighborhood Projects in 2021

by Maria Morrealein Neighbors, News

 
We are thrilled to announce BNMC Spark – the BNMC’s micro-grant program that funds creative ideas and strategies to support partners and stakeholders within the neighborhoods surrounding the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. This year, we are delighted to partner with the Fruit Belt Community Land Trust (FBCLT) to make ten awards of up to $4,000 each.

We invite community members and organizations to submit proposals to receive funding for projects and initiatives that advance the goals of BNMC, the FBCLT, and the local community. Our key goals include:

  • Building an inclusive and collaborative culture of innovation that drives economic development and creates vibrant, healthy communities.
  • Ensuring our district is attractive, welcoming, and accessible – a quality place to work, live, visit and invest in.

Learn more about the projects we funded in 2019 and 2018. Watch our 2019 video featuring some of our Spark grantees.

The deadline for wp-contentlications is May 21, 2021. To learn more visit bnmc-old.local/spark or contact community@bnmc-old.local

BNMC’s Pledge for Racial Equity

by BNMCin BNMC Team, Buffalo, Diversity & Inclusion, MWBE, Neighbors, Outreach

BNMC’s Pledge for Racial Equity

During this heartbreaking time for our city and country, standing together as one community is more important than ever. We believe strongly in the need for diversity and the importance of inclusion. We are firmly against any form of racial injustice and hatred, and we pledge to speak up and speak out when we see this hwp-contentening in our community and beyond.
The BNMC has always believed that by continuing to build a welcoming and inclusive environment, people are inspired and empowered to be their most creative and innovative selves. And yet, we’re ever so aware that we’re always learning, always growing, and always challenging ourselves to be better tomorrow than we are today.
Today, we are reaffirming our strongly held beliefs in promoting justice for all people.
The BNMC’s pledge:
  • We will engage our community to enhance diversity, inclusion, and respect for every person.
  • We will break down barriers, push boundaries, and work as advocates for change.
  • We will create an inclusive environment that will seek cooperative collaborations and community-based solutions.
  • We will commit to an intentional and ongoing dialogue about racial injustice among our staff, partners and stakeholders.
We stand with you because you are a part of us. If you do not receive justice, neither do we. We promise to continue working together with our partners to create a better and more inclusive Buffalo.

BNMC Inc., Mission:Ignite & Say Yes Buffalo Provide Computers for Students

by BNMCin Community, Homepage, Neighborhood Engagement, Neighbors, News

BNMC Inc. Partners with Mission:Ignite & Say Yes Buffalo to Provide Home Computers for Buffalo Public School Students

More Support Needed to Increase Available Computers

BUFFALO (April 6, 2020) – Three Buffalo not-for-profit organizations partnered to provide desktop computers to Buffalo Public School students who would otherwise not have access to this technology at home. More than 65 families will receive computers through an initial donation of $5,000, and the partners are seeking additional donations from individuals and corporations to reach even more families. For the cost of $150, Mission:Ignite will refurbish and certify a computer, and Say Yes will distribute to their families.

The first 20 computers were distributed on April 6th at P.S. 89 Dr. Lydia T. Wright School of Excellence and P.S. 80 Highgate Heights Elementary, with additional computers delivered on April 16th to South Park High School, PR 74 and iPrep Academy.

“When I thought about education shifting to homes when the schools began closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, my mind immediately went to the technology gap,” said Sam Marrazzo, BNMC’s Chief Innovation Officer. “I knew that Mission:Ignite could help provide the hardware, so we reached out to Say Yes to see if they could help with the connection to the families. We hope to see other companies and individuals step up as well to help make sure kids have access to technology during these times.”

“We immediately agreed to help when we got Sam’s call,” said Christine Carr, Executive Director for Mission:Ignite. “Providing technology solutions for kids is our core mission. We are able to build computers relatively quickly to meet the tremendous needs of our community.”

“We were thrilled that BNMC and Mission:Ignite wp-contentroached us with this idea,” said David Rust, Executive Director of Say Yes Buffalo. “Our team has been providing basic needs to the 500+ families in Buffalo that we serve, and we know that parents are concerned that their kids will fall behind in school without access to the right technology.”

Say Yes Buffalo Family Support Specialists and BPS Principals will work to determine families with the highest need to distribute the laptops. The first 20 computers were distributed this morning.

For more information about how you can get involved with this initiative, including donate online, visit http://techforkids.716innovations.com or contact Sam Marrazzo at smarrazzo@bnmc-old.local.

Partners

Mission: Ignite, Buffalo’s source for affordable technology and refurbished computers; the BNMC, Inc., an organization focused on furthering economic growth, igniting urban revitalization, and building a strong thriving community; and Say Yes Buffalo, dedicated to strengthening the Western New York economy by investing in the education of Buffalo’s future workforce.

 

 

Highlighting BNMC Spark 2019 Projects

by BNMCin Buffalo, Community, Healthy Communities, Neighbors

Highlighting BNMC Spark 2019 Projects

As we continue to build a more diverse and inclusive environment on the Medical Campus, this Thanksgiving we’re thankful for our community partners who are working together to create active, vibrant places for us all to live, work and play.
This video highlights some of our 2019 BNMC Spark grantees, and the incredible impact these projects have had in our surrounding neighborhoods.

Stay tuned for Spark 2020 micro-grants coming soon! Visit BNMC.org/Spark for more information and to view funded organizations and projects.

BNMC to Host Annual Last Minute Holiday Market on December 19

by BNMCin BNMC Team, Buffalo, Community, Employees, Event, Innovation, Innovation Center, MWBE, Neighborhood Engagement, Neighbors, Networking, Small Businesses, Startups

Join us for our annual Last Minute Holiday Market

on December 19th!

WHAT

‘Tis the season to buy local! Stop by our annual holiday market to pick out unique gifts for your friends and family. Interested in tabling at this event? Vendors must register by December 16th at ICgiftmarket.eventbrite.com.

WHERE

dig at the Innovation Center, 640 Ellicott St., 1st floor

WHEN

December 19th from 11:30am-1:30pm

DETAILS

All participating vendors are locally owned-small businesses. We will have lunch available for purchase from our Collision Cafe vendors, including Lime House, R&R BBQ and Green Eats Kitchen.

 

 

 

Celebrating Community at our 3rd Annual Summer Block Party

by BNMCin BNMC Team, Buffalo, Campus-wide, Collaboration, Community, Event, Neighborhood Engagement, Neighbors

Celebrating Community at our 3rd Annual Summer Block Party

OK! Normally I have a more formal writing style, but we are fam so I’m going to just hit you with this info. I’m not trying to give you FOMO or anything, but… if you missed BNMC’s 3rd Annual Summer Block Party, you missed a lot! People are saying that it was the best one yet. It had everything that makes a great party. View our Facebook photo album to see all the smiling faces!

Great venue: The weather was a perfect 73 degrees with a slight breeze on August 22nd at Kaminski Park & Gardens at Roswell Park.

Great food: Frank Gourmet Hot Dogs served up nearly 1,000 hot dogs at the event! Aunt Connie’s Ed-U- Kitchen brought her iconic smoothie bike (you know, the one that you get on and it powers the blender to make the smoothie), plus delicious watermelon and salad. James the Ice Cream Dude with his ice cream bike. There is nothing like a Bomb Pop on a summer day!

Great music: DJ P was on the 1’s and 2’s spinning some upbeat tunes. His energy and presence on the mic keep the party going. We also had the A-Team Band who hopped on the instruments and played some hits from the 90s and early 2000s.

Dancing: With music like that you can’t help but dance! We did all the line dances, but Zumba was clearly the biggest hit. Thanks to Kelly Patton for helping us dance some of those calories off.

Games: We had Clown Around Entertainment provide our Carnival Games, face painting, and a dunk tank which the kids and families loved!

The best part of all was the GREAT people. There were almost 1,000 people who attended this year, including employees, patients, students, and neighbors who all came together to create an amazing family-friendly event.

Next year we plan to do it even bigger and better!

Celebrating Community at our 3rd Annual Summer Block Party

by BNMCin BNMC Team, Buffalo, Campus-wide, Collaboration, Community, Event, Neighborhood Engagement, Neighbors

Celebrating Community at our 3rd Annual Summer Block Party

OK! Normally I have a more formal writing style, but we are fam so I’m going to just hit you with this info. I’m not trying to give you FOMO or anything, but… if you missed BNMC’s 3rd Annual Summer Block Party, you missed a lot! People are saying that it was the best one yet. It had everything that makes a great party. View our Facebook photo album to see all the smiling faces!

Great venue: The weather was a perfect 73 degrees with a slight breeze on August 22nd at Kaminski Park & Gardens at Roswell Park.

Great food: Frank Gourmet Hot Dogs served up nearly 1,000 hot dogs at the event! Aunt Connie’s Ed-U- Kitchen brought her iconic smoothie bike (you know, the one that you get on and it powers the blender to make the smoothie), plus delicious watermelon and salad. James the Ice Cream Dude with his ice cream bike. There is nothing like a Bomb Pop on a summer day!

Great music: DJ P was on the 1’s and 2’s spinning some upbeat tunes. His energy and presence on the mic keep the party going. We also had the A-Team Band who hopped on the instruments and played some hits from the 90s and early 2000s.

Dancing: With music like that you can’t help but dance! We did all the line dances, but Zumba was clearly the biggest hit. Thanks to Kelly Patton for helping us dance some of those calories off.

Games: We had Clown Around Entertainment provide our Carnival Games, face painting, and a dunk tank which the kids and families loved!

The best part of all was the GREAT people. There were almost 1,000 people who attended this year, including employees, patients, students, and neighbors who all came together to create an amazing family-friendly event.

Next year we plan to do it even bigger and better!

100 Days of Summer Wellness

by BNMCin Campus-wide, Community, Employees, Healthy Communities, Member Institution(s), Neighbors, Networking, Sustainability, Wellness

100 Days of Summer Wellness

September is the time of year we simultaneously love and dread. Summer fun and vacations are over, and we’re brought back to routine work and school schedules. On Campus, we see more medical students – working, eating, and commuting beside us, as the new semester starts. Our hospitals continue to deliver world-renowned health care around-the-clock, while seasonal vegetables pop up on cafeteria menus along with festive pumpkin decorations on the inpatient floors. This time of year carries a spirit of being given a fresh start and inspiring us to get back to the grind – similar to the New Year. Except instead of winter weather advisories and health resolutions there are pumpkin spice lattes and back to school sales!

With that, let’s reflect on how healthy we’ve been together for the past 100 days of wellness this summer:

  • Weekly Tuesday yoga class engaged 151 people in 780 minutes of physical activity, which is the equivalent of 13 hours of pure yogi bliss. Thank you Yogis in Service.
  • 3000+ healthy meals were sold from the Innovation Center’s Fresh Takes Smart Fridge.
  • Group bike rides on Friday afternoons shredded 3,570 calories for 71 miles. That’s like biking to Niagara on the Lake and back. Thank you Reddy Bikeshare.
  • 1000+ CSA shares were distributed campus wide, providing employees and their families with fresh local produce, conveniently delivered to them right at work.
  • On Walk on Wednesdays, we walked 319,600 steps and burned 12,772 calories over 160 miles, which basically means we walked from Buffalo to Toronto and back. #runforestrun
  • The opening of Healthy Scratch at Buffalo General Medical Center in June 2019.
  • There were 1,000+ bike rentals from Medical Campus Reddy Bikeshare stations and 1,400 rides through the BNMC zone.
  • All 25 food trucks in the BNMC Food Truck Rodeo offered certified healthy options.

With all these healthy wins, let’s capture that New Years spirit of determination and get right to it now, in September! My charge to you is to make it your healthiest month of 2019 – we have the best local produce of the season, the weather is just right for walking and biking outside, and football is starting so you’ll need the healthy activities to balance tailgating festivities. Check out our Fall Wellness schedule!

BNMC Hosts Buffalo’s Largest Daily Food Truck Rodeo

by BNMCin Campus-wide, Community, Employees, Healthy Communities, Neighbors, Placemaking

BNMC Hosts Buffalo’s Largest Daily Food Truck Rodeo

Looking for something new to try at lunch? Stop by the BNMC Food Truck Rodeo on the lawn at Washington & Carlton St. weekdays from 11:30am-1:30pm. We have a variety of trucks serving up so many delicious options, and healthy ones, too! All all your favorites are scheduled to join us, including Fat Bob’s, Amy’s Truck, Thai Me Up, Lloyd’s, and so many more. Located in the heart of the BNMC, the Food Truck Rodeo is here to serve anyone from scrubs to suits and all those in between!

  • We have different trucks scheduled for each weekday to ensure everyone’s tastebuds are hwp-contenty. Check out our schedule to see which trucks are coming when.
  • We have plenty of outdoor seating, plus music and lawn games to make the perfect lunch break!
  • Check out this video to see what the BNMC Food Truck Rodeo is all about.

Connecting Buyers to Businesses at BNMC Procurement Fair on June 5th

by BNMCin Employees, Member Institution(s), MWBE, Neighbors, Networking, Procurement

Connecting Buyers to Businesses

Don’t miss the BNMC Procurement Fair on Thursday, June 6 from 2-4pm. This event is designed to introduce local minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses and buyers from large and medium-sized companies and organizations.

Who should attend:

Buyers – anyone who make purchasing decisions for their company

Women, minority, and veteran-owned businesses – Free tables for local MWBEs who want to highlight their goods or services designed for companies and large institutions

Tables are limited. Register by May 28th to reserve your space!

This free event will be held at UB’s Educational Opportunity Center at 555 Ellicott Street in Buffalo.

Free parking is available for attendees in the lot on N. Oak (off Goodell Street behind the building).

BNMC Awards Micro-Grants to 12 Local Organizations

by BNMCin Community, Healthy Communities, Innovation, Neighbors

BNMC Awards Micro-Grants to 12 Local Organizations

The BNMC is excited to announce that we have selected 12 organizations out 37 wp-contentlicants to receive a total of $39,000 in our 2nd annual Spark micro-grant program!

Local community members and organizations were invited to wp-contently for grant funding for projects and programs that help to showcase the neighborhoods adjacent to the Medical Campus as active, vibrant places. Some of this year’s funded projects include a technology upgrade for the Salvation Army’s Youth Drop-in Center, DSLR cameras for Locust Street Art’s photography classes, and nutrition education and job readiness training for Groundwork Buffalo’s Fresh Food Fellows. Other projects include community gardens, restoration projects, music and art programs, and more.

View 2019 Spark Awardees

Sparking a Culture of Health on the BNMC

by BNMCin BNMC Team, Buffalo, Collaboration, Community, Health care, Healthy Communities, Innovation, Member Institution(s), Neighbors, Sustainability, Technology, Wellness

Sparking a Culture of Health on the BNMC

BNMC’s healthy communities team has been busy catalyzing wellness initiatives across Campus and our surrounding neighborhoods! From Spark micro-grants to workplace wellbeing and federal grants, we’re proud to be at the forefront of building a healthier city.

Our wp-contentroach includes:

Piloting new technologies:

We installed Byte in the lobby of the Innovation Center earlier in 2018 in partnership with Farmers & Artisans. They keep it stocked with fresh, wholesome, local food options available 24/7. We were able to purchse this through our Creating Healthy Schools and Communities grant from the NYS Department of Health.  We have purchased two other machines, are rebranding them as FRESHTAKES, and will be installing them at the Jacobs Institute in the Gates Vascular Institute and the UBMD offices at Conventus.

Growing fresh produce when possible:

Through this same grant, we were able to get several Grow Towers to allow local organizations to grow their own fresh produce. Our Grow Tower in the Innovation Center has produced a variety of greens – gourmet lettuces, dinosaur kale, bok choy, and herbs like basil and parsley. We had a building get-together and made soup for everyone, and on harvest days have salad parties. We provided a tower to Hospice Buffalo, where they have been growing fresh produce to use in their cafeteria and patient menus. We also provided a Grow Tower to Erie Community College Downtown Campus for their culinary program, which supports healthier ingredients on their menu for staff, students, and the general public.

Providing Spark funding:

Through the BNMC Spark microgrant program, we provided funding for 17 different local projects, several of which involved increasing access to fresh food for our local neighborhoods. The Moot Center, a longtime partner of the BNMC, was able to build a pergola to finish off its raised garden beds that our team helped them build in 2017, allowing seniors to garden in the shade, and  providing covered space for their weekly farmer’s market and events. We also supported Fresh Fix, a local CSA that has a buy one, give one wp-contentroach.

Promoting healthy eating options on and around Campus:

We debuted our Food Map this year and quickly ran out! This guide showcases places within a few minute walk from institutions on the BNMC and encourages employees to get out and get moving on their breaks. We are currently updating and reprinting, so please let us know if you see something missing.

Seeking grant funding to support projects:

We recently launched a three-year, $351K project with support from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Local Food Promotion Program to create a model for health care institutions to integrate technology and cultivate a culture of healthy food practices to increase local food procurement. We will be moving into the public phase of this effort in 2019, so stay tuned for more! This implementation grant was a follow-on to a $25,000 planning grant we received two years ago through the same program to increase healthy food in health care.

Collaborating to eliminate disparities in food access:

Under the lead of the Mobile Safety-Net Team, we are part of a collaborative coalition of local organizations, store owners, and community members to address urban food deserts. The Healthy Corner Store Initiative aims to bring fresh fruits and vegetables, taste tests, and nutrition education, to convenience stores throughout the city to engage residents in a healthy lifestyle.

This is just a brief snapshot at some of the work the BNMC team is doing to create a culture of health and wellbeing in our community. Learn more at bnmc-old.local/health.

BNMC Awards Grants to Catalyze Neighborhood Ideas

by BNMCin Buffalo, Community, Neighbors

Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Inc. (BNMC) Awards Grants to Catalyze Neighborhood Ideas

Community members and organizations invited to wp-contently for the BNMC Spark micro-grant funding for community projects for 2019

The BNMC is kicking off its second year of BNMC Spark by inviting local community members and organizations to wp-contently for grant funding for projects that help strengthen the community in neighborhoods adjacent to the Medical Campus. Through BNMC Spark, a micro-grant pilot program, the BNMC will award a total of $40,000 in 2019 with maximum grants to individual organizations for $3,500 for project grants. The BNMC awarded $37,000 to 17 organizations in 2018 through BNMC Spark.

Community members and organizations are invited to submit proposals to receive funding for initiatives that advance the goals of BNMC and the local community. The BNMC’s key goals include: cultivating a safe, accessible, active and inclusive district that fosters health and wellbeing and is supported by smart, sustainable infrastructure; driving innovation, job growth, and economic development; strengthening our community with economic opportunities benefiting local youth, residents, businesses, and neighborhoods. Preference will be given to proposals that demonstrate strong community support, have strong community engagement plans, and that contribute to advancing an inclusive, vibrant community. We will give priority to projects that take place within one mile of the Medical Campus.

BNMC Spark grants are designed to help organizations address funding needs or gaps for programs or projects that can be completed in 2019. Applicants are asked to submit proposals that can be completed with the total amount awarded or for projects that have a funding gap that the grant would help complete.

According to Kyria Stephens, Community Program Manager for the BNMC, “We are thrilled to be launching our second year of BNMC Spark. We supported 17 community projects in 2018, ranging from art installations to wellness programs, preservation efforts and skills development initiatives. Our team is looking forward to another round of excellent projects that will be a catalyst to help create and grow our surrounding neighborhoods as active, vibrant places.”

Applications for BNMC Spark funding can be found at www.bnmc-old.local/spark; deadline is February 28, 2019.  If the initial written proposal is chosen, wp-contentlicants will then have an opportunity to present their ideas to a BNMC advisory group and demonstrate how it will contribute to making the neighborhood into an active, vibrant place for final consideration.  Winners will be notified by March 28, 2019.

 

BNMC Seeks Projects to Fund That Catalyze Neighborhood Ideas

by BNMCin Buffalo, Community, Neighbors

Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Inc. (BNMC) Seeks Projects to Fund That  Catalyze Neighborhood Ideas

Community members and organizations invited to wp-contently for the BNMC Spark micro-grant funding for community projects for 2019

The BNMC is kicking off its second year of BNMC Spark by inviting local community members and organizations to wp-contently for grant funding for projects that help strengthen the community in neighborhoods adjacent to the Medical Campus. Through BNMC Spark, a micro-grant pilot program, the BNMC will award a total of $40,000 in 2019 with maximum grants to individual organizations for $3,500 for project grants. The BNMC awarded $37,000 to 17 organizations in 2018 through BNMC Spark.

Community members and organizations are invited to submit proposals to receive funding for initiatives that advance the goals of BNMC and the local community. The BNMC’s key goals include: cultivating a safe, accessible, active and inclusive district that fosters health and wellbeing and is supported by smart, sustainable infrastructure; driving innovation, job growth, and economic development; strengthening our community with economic opportunities benefiting local youth, residents, businesses, and neighborhoods. Preference will be given to proposals that demonstrate strong community support, have strong community engagement plans, and that contribute to advancing an inclusive, vibrant community. We will give priority to projects that take place within one mile of the Medical Campus.

BNMC Spark grants are designed to help organizations address funding needs or gaps for programs or projects that can be completed in 2019. Applicants are asked to submit proposals that can be completed with the total amount awarded or for projects that have a funding gap that the grant would help complete.

According to Kyria Stephens, Community Program Manager for the BNMC, “We are thrilled to be launching our second year of BNMC Spark. We supported 17 community projects in 2018, ranging from art installations to wellness programs, preservation efforts and skills development initiatives. Our team is looking forward to another round of excellent projects that will be a catalyst to help create and grow our surrounding neighborhoods as active, vibrant places.”

Applications for BNMC Spark funding can be found at www.bnmc-old.local/spark; deadline is February 28, 2019.  If the initial written proposal is chosen, wp-contentlicants will then have an opportunity to present their ideas to a BNMC advisory group and demonstrate how it will contribute to making the neighborhood into an active, vibrant place for final consideration.  Winners will be notified by March 28, 2019.

 

BNMC to Host NYSERDA Electric Vehicle Ride + Drive Event

by BNMCin Campus-wide, Community, Electric Vehicles, Employees, Energy, Healthy Communities, Innovation, Neighbors, Sustainability, Transportation

Curious about what it is like to drive an electric vehicle (EV)?

Come experience the quiet, fast, and smooth ride for yourself!

Join us at the NYSERDA EV Ride & Drive event to test drive a variety of electric vehicles and learn about available savings and incentives! This free event is open to employees who work on the BNMC and members of the community.

Date: Thursday, September 20th

Time: 10:30 AM-2:30 PM

Place: 589 Ellicott St. (parking lot)

The BNMC was the region’s earliest adopter of electric vehicle charging station infrastructure, installing 21 units in 2011. Currently there are 46  stations across the Medical Campus, making it even easier for employees, visitors, and neighbors to “green” their commute using electric vehicles.

BNMC 2nd Annual Summer Block Party

by BNMCin Campus-wide, Community, Employees, Event, Member Institution(s), Neighborhood Engagement, Neighbors, Networking

 

 

On Wednesday, August 8th, the BNMC hosted its 2nd Annual Summer Block Party in partnership with the University at Buffalo and Roswell Park. This fun, festive event was free and open to employees who work on the BNMC and members of the community, featuring a BBQ dinner, live music, community organizations, lawn games and more!

Healthy Victory: Highlighting our Collaborative Partnership with the Foundry, GroundWork Market Garden, African Heritage Food Co-Op, and YouthBuild of the Service Collaborative of WNY

by BNMCin BNMC Team, Collaboration, Community, Healthy Communities, Neighbors, Wellness, Youth And Education

Healthy Victory: Highlighting our Collaborative Partnership with the Foundry, GroundWork Market Garden, African Heritage Food Co-Op, and YouthBuild of the Service Collaborative of WNY

As year three of BNMC’s Creating Healthy Schools and Communities (CHSC) grant from New York State Department of Health comes to a close this September, the Healthy Communities team celebrates this past year’s successes.

Over the past year, our group has collectively worked on a project that not only increases access to healthy affordable foods for residents in East Buffalo, but does so through a community-driven wp-contentroach that builds neighborhood capacity and social capital.

Identifying the Problem

In BNMC’s work as part of the CHSC grant to increase healthy food access in communities throughout the city of Buffalo, it was wp-contentarent both food consumers and producers in East Buffalo face significant challenges. Residents experience a complex environment of societal, social, and health disparities that are especially amplified among people of color, all while residing in neighborhoods largely void of easily accessible grocery stores with affordable fresh foods. These conditions existed in the context of a food environment where some urban farmers struggled to connect with nearby neighbors, establish a farm stand, and find efficient models for transporting their harvests, on top of all the other challenges farmers already face.

Developing a Solution

BNMC identified a collaborative opportunity to merge both consumer and producer needs: The Farm Stand Project. The Farm Stand Project brings together GroundWork Market Garden, African Heritage Food Co-Op, The Foundry, YouthBuild, and BNMC to build mobile farm stands that bring locally grown fresh foods to residents who need it most.

By partnering with The Foundry and YouthBuild, the farm stands for GroundWork Market Garden and African Heritage Food Co-op were designed and built by community members who come from the neighborhoods the stands will serve. Every Friday morning from 9am-12pm from January 2018 through July 2018, the youth met at The Foundry and worked with professional carpenters and welders to build the farm stands. While the stands are currently undergoing finishing touches, the team aims to start using them as soon as possible for the current 2018 growing season.

The BNMC Healthy Communities Team has two more years (until September 2020) to continue its CHSC work supporting healthier communities throughout the city of Buffalo.

About The Foundry

The Foundry is a nonprofit small business incubator in East Buffalo that includes a makerspace, woodshop, metal shop, tech lab, textile lab, and also offers classes to the public. In addition to their daily operation, they also partner with the Service Collaborative of WNY’s YouthBuild program, which provides at-risk or low-income youth the opportunity to complete their education, earn their GED, and learn in-demand job skills while taking part in community revitalization projects.

BNMC to Host 2nd Annual Summer Block Party

by BNMCin Buffalo, Community, Employees, Neighborhood Engagement, Neighbors, Networking

Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, University at Buffalo and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center to Host Block Party for Employees, Neighbors in Fruit Belt, Allentown and Downtown

 

Free family-friendly event to include music, food and fun and a way for employees and neighbors to connect

What

The 2nd Annual BNMC Summer Block Party is a summer evening of fun and friendship (old & new!) for employees who work on the BNMC and neighbors from surrounding neighborhoods including the Fruit Belt, Allentown and Downtown.

The free, family-friendly, alcohol-free event is designed to bring together Medical Campus employees with local residents in a social, fun setting. The Block Party will feature live music from the Unity Band and DJ Sike. Also included are kids’ activities, food, health & wellness information and representation from community organizations that may be of interest to employees and local residents.

When

Wednesday, August 8, 2018 from 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Where

Kaminski Park & Gardens on Carlton & Elm Street at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

BNMC Invites Employees and Local Restaurants, Shops & Service Providers to Participate in Neighborhood Explorer Program

by BNMCin Buffalo, Campus-wide, Community, Employees, Neighborhood Engagement, Neighbors, Outreach, Small Businesses

BNMC Invites Employees and Local Restaurants, Shops & Service Providers to Participate in Neighborhood Explorer Program

Discount program designed to encourage Medical Campus employees to support local businesses

With an influx of students and new employees after the opening of the John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital and UB Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, the BNMC, Inc. has re-launched and rebranded its Neighborhood Explorer Program to better connect the 16,000 employees and students on Campus with area businesses.

The Neighborhood Explorer program provides a variety of discounts to Medical Campus employees at wp-contentroximately 80 participating area businesses in Allentown, the Fruit Belt and Downtown. The BNMC developed this program to encourage its employees to buy local and support the restaurants, shops, and service providers in the neighborhoods around the Medical Campus. With a growing population on the Medical Campus and new and existing businesses looking for their patronage, the BNMC decided to re-launch the program, invite new businesses to participate, and highlight the program to employees.

Participating businesses determine wp-contentropriate discounts to encourage Campus employees to try their products or services and are identified with a newly rebranded Neighborhood Explorer window cling that can be displayed in an entranceway or window to draw traffic. Medical Campus employees can receive a BNMC Neighborhood Explorer sticker to adhere to their ID badge that should be presented to businesses in order to obtain the discount offered.

Employees can sign up for the new sticker and view a list of participating businesses at BNMC.org/explorer. Stickers will be available for pick up at the Innovation Center lobby at 640 Ellicott Street on Wednesdays between 11:30am-1:30pm or at the Roswell Park’s Market in the Park this summer.

 

BNMC Awards Micro-Grants to 17 Local Organizations  

by BNMCin Art, Community, Education, Entrepreneurship, Environment, Healthy Communities, Innovation, Neighborhood Engagement, Neighbors

BNMC Awards Micro-Grants to 17 Local Organizations  

Awarded programs and projects aim to showcase creative ideas and strengthen community

 The Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus has selected 17 organizations out of more than 60 wp-contentlicants to receive a total of $36,500 in its first annual BNMC Spark micro-grant program. Local community members and organizations were invited to wp-contently for grant funding for projects and programs that help to showcase the neighborhoods adjacent to the Medical Campus as active, vibrant places. Among those selected include El Museo’s Art in Transit Project, Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor’s “Salute to African American History Makers,” and a Community Wellness Initiative organized by the Mulberry Street Block Club.   Funded programs include art projects, wellness programs, preservation efforts and skills development initiatives and many others.  A full list of winners can be found at www.bnmc-old.local/spark.

According to Marc Pope, Community Program Manager for the BNMC, “The scope and variety of wp-contentlications was very impressive and it was difficult to narrow down the field to our final choices. The number of innovative ideas we received speaks to the community’s grassroots initiatives and creativity that will truly benefit local neighborhoods. We are proud to support the efforts of these community leaders to get their programs and projects off the ground or over the finish line.”

The Spark grants help programs or projects in a targeted zone around the Medical Campus that align with BNMC’s key goals of cultivating a safe accessible, active, and inclusive district that fosters health and wellbeing and is supported by smart sustainable infrastructure; strengthening the community with economic opportunities benefiting local youth, residents, businesses, and neighborhoods; and driving innovation, job growth, and economic development. Priority was also given to those initiatives that focus on access to healthy food and active living opportunities; neighborhood improvements including beautification, walkability and enhanced transportation options; arts and culture; energy and sustainability; youth and education; and access to jobs and economic opportunities.

BNMC Spark grants are designed to help organizations address funding needs or gaps for programs or projects that can be completed in 2018. While the BNMC has supported local organizations and initiatives for many years, the BNMC Sparks micro-grant program was developed to formalize the process and to attract new programs and organizations that are aligned with the BNMC’s overall goals.

BNMC Relaunches Neighborhood Explorer Program!

by BNMCin Community, Employees, Neighborhood Engagement, Neighbors, Outreach

BNMC’s Neighborhood Explorer Program  is designed to better connect our 16,000 employees with more than 75 local businesses around the Medical Campus in the Allentown, Fruit Belt, and Downtown neighborhoods, and offers employees the opportunity to enjoy discounts and experience businesses in the area in a fun and exciting way.

Take the Neighborhood Explorer Survey!

PROGRAM DETAILS

  • Employees  receive  BNMC Neighborhood Explorer Sticker to be adhered on the back of employer ID badge.
  • ID badge with sticker must be presented to businesses in order to receive discount.
  • Businesses will also receive newly rebranded window clings to help identify themselves as a participating business offering employees a discount.
  • View participating businesses and discounts offered at BNMC.org/explorer

HOW DO I RECEIVE MY STICKER?

ENJOY!

Patronize and discover local businesses near the Medical Campus, experience our neighborhoods, and become a part of the community. Sign-up to receive the Neighborhood Explorer Card and start enjoying the benefits of the community you work in!

BNMC to “Spark” Community Projects

by BNMCin Allentown, Community, Fruit Belt, Neighbors, News, Sponsorship

BNMC to “Spark” Community Projects

The Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Inc. (BNMC) is inviting local community members and organizations to wp-contently for grant funding for projects that help to strengthen the community in neighborhoods adjacent to the Medical Campus. Through BNMC Spark, a micro-grant funding pilot, the BNMC will award a total of $30,000 in 2018 with maximum grants to individual organizations for $5,000 for project grants and $2,000 for program grants. BNMC Spark grants are designed to help organizations address funding needs or gaps for programs or projects that can be completed in 2018.  Learn more at www.bnmc-old.local/spark or by calling Marc Pope at 716-218-7358.