News

We are so honored that the Buffalo Bills Social Justice Committee recognized the impact of Open Buffalo's Emerging Leaders Program and Credible Community Messenger Initiative and awarded us a grant (on field) as part of the NFL's Inspire Change initiative. THANK YOU to Dion Dawkins and others on the committee.

The Inspire Change campaign highlights and supports community organizations focused on education, economic development, community-police relations and criminal justice reform.

Shout out to the other honorees: United Way of Buffalo & Erie County, Partnership for the Public Good, Buffalo Center for Health Equity, and David Rust of Say Yes Buffalo!

Read the full statement published by the Bills below:

Buffalo Bills Social Justice Committee awards $120,000 in grants to three local organizations

Dec 21, 2024 at 07:00 AM

The Buffalo Bills Social Justice Committee has awarded three local organizations each with $40,000 in grants as part of the NFL's Inspire Change initiative.

The Inspire Change campaign highlights and supports community organizations focused on education, economic development, community-police relations and criminal justice reform.

"It's important to support the community and invest in our youth. This is more than a donation, it's about creating real opportunities for these young people to succeed and taking away the roadblocks for the kids who are our future," said Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins. "Our job as humans is service to others. It's a blessing to be alive and to be able to give back on a daily basis, so give your gratitude to the planet by service to others."

The selected organizations for this year's grants are:

• Open Buffalo: Emerging Leaders and CCMI Programs
• Buffalo Center for Health Equity: Community Responders Coalition Pilot Program
• United Way of Buffalo & Erie County: Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

Funding will support:

Open Buffalo: Emerging Leaders and CCMI Programs

Emerging Leaders is a 5-month leadership development program focused on creating positive social change and building a just community for all in Western New York. The program connects leaders with the mentorship and networks they need to build their platform and their power. It provides a pipeline to place changemakers in positions where they can exercise their leadership in the public sphere. The mission of the Emerging Leaders Program is to unlock the power we hold in our communities and transform systems of oppression into systems of opportunity and abundance.

Credible Community Messenger Initiative, or CCMI, is a partnership with Berkshire Farm Center and Services for Youth through the NYS Office of Children and Family Services. Through this program, Open Buffalo mentors youth starting fresh journeys in their lives. Open Buffalo employs "Credible Messengers" and "Parent Partners," who take time building trust with each of their respected populations (youth returning home from the juvenile justice system, and their families, respectively).

Community Responders Coalition Pilot Program

Buffalo Bills Social Justice funds will support the Community Responders for Erie County Coalition pilot program. This initiative will provide trained health care workers and peers to respond to non-criminal and non-violent 911 calls. The Community Responders for Erie County Coalition includes Partnership for the Public Good, Buffalo Center for Health Equity, Erie County Restorative Justice Coalition, Little People's Victory, Black Love Resists in the Rust, Evergreen Health, Social Welfare Action Alliance, and VOICE Buffalo.

Community responders are a better way to handle non-violent, non-criminal health and social needs in the community. According to Partnership for the Public Good's research, over 100 American cities now use community responders to address low-level health, social needs, and quality of life concerns. Community responders are first responders who respond independently (without police) to low-risk health and social needs, including (but not limited to) those related to mental health, substance use, homelessness, arguments, non-emergency medical needs, and similar. The team will assess the situation, de-escalate, problem-solve, and provide services on-site and link or transport people to the appropriate community resource.

United Way of Buffalo & Erie County

Buffalo Bills Social Justice funds will support the expansion of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program to kids from birth to age 5 in zip code 14215. Registered kids will receive a free book delivered in the mail, directly to their home each month.
Reading is not only essential for educational success but also provides meaningful bonding time between children and their families. The United Way of Buffalo & Erie County is excited to bring Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to our community. Currently, children in the following Western New York zip codes are eligible 14201, 14213, 14218, 14204, 14215. Families are invited to go to the United Way website to register their age-eligible children at www.uwbec.org.

"Our role at United Way Buffalo & Erie County is to ensure that even the smallest members of our community can thrive. None of our work would be possible without our amazing partners. My sincere thanks goes out to the Buffalo Bills Social Justice Committee for adopting 14215. Go Bills!," said Trina Burruss, President and CEO of United Way of Buffalo & Erie County.