News

By Devon Patterson

Director of Community Engagement

Open Buffalo’s youth re-entry support team partook in such an inspirational training in Albany last week hosted by Community Connections for Youth. Gratitude is an understatement for us attendees. We didn’t know that we would be the called out so many times for our actions throughout the program, but the recognition by the facilitators and the NYS Office of Children and Family Services was a pleasant surprise. We reinforced our values that we practiced during our Credible Community Messenger program twice a week for the greater part of 2023.

The most helpful portion of the training was connecting with other Credible Messengers across the state, learning their best practices and what has not worked for them.

Truly, there is no other better example of building together and creating community than a passionate community-focused, service training. It was just what the team needed to get back to the drawing board for this year. But, more importantly, we are all ready to support Buffalo’s disconnected youth!