Sarah Behrens, Jenna Gardner, Anna Claire McKenzie

WHAT IS APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE?

In this case, it is using skills and knowledge you have learned about a certain conceptual social problem and then applying them to help address that real problem.

Matt Urban Hope Center

"The Matt Urban Center’s Mission is to provide programs that revitalize neighborhoods, serve families and change lives."

Who:

• The Matt Urban Center was first named Polish Community Center of Buffalo, before a name change in 2000 to honor an American solider, Lt. Col. Matt Urban.
• Employees include: executive director, case managers, operations manager, accounting assistant
• Volunteers and people in the job readiness program provide their time and help cook daily dinner or provide job shadows

Services Available:

• Food pantry
• Housing assistance & Case management
• Job search help
• Professional clothing boutique
• Library
• Dinner served daily (except weekends)

Our Team's Contribution:

• Various tasks: helped sort the food pantry, painted walls, helped clean out their storage room, organized their clothing shop, and finally cleaned the kitchen

Knowledge Learned: Long-Term Assistance is more beneficial

• The importance of not just helping the homeless with emergency things needed (food and shelter) and rather providing them with resources to have a better future, such as, housing and job assistance, and help filling out forms to receive food stamps.

Friends of Night People

"Provide food and necessities to address the effects and impact of poverty."

Who:

• Staff consists primarily of the president, relations manager, volunteer coordinator, social worker, chefs, and an outreach coordinator
• Volunteered physicians and optometrist
• Staffed of mainly volunteers

What:

• Friends of Night People is an outreach program dedicated to help the poor, those who are homeless, and destitute
• Provides food, clothing, showers, medical and dental care, and counseling services free of charge, to anyone in need
• Educate the public understanding of poverty & homelessness
• Available services 365 days a year

Our Team's Contributions:

• Cleaned and arrange donations room
• Various kitchen preparation for upcoming meals
• Organized the Clothing Closet
• Sanitize the dining area
• Updated their filing and mailing system

Knowledge Learned: Selflessness

• Their selflessness shines through their values, and genuinely wanted to give back to the people in the community without expecting a thank you in return. Friends of Night People lends their support and collaborates with other organizations, like, Matt Urban Hope Center, to help fulfill their mission. This shows that Friends of Night People sees the importance of working together to build a better community.

Post-Trip Thoughts

What was the outcome? What did we learn from it? How will we apply ourselves in the future?

As a team, we realized the many issues faced in a different city. However, we met many individuals who decided to take action and help fix or alleviate the issues many residents face on the daily. It was inspiring to see people enact change with just a simple idea and getting the sponsors necessary to keep providing services. In the future, we can continue to help people and organizations by providing our time, money, and knowledge.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLg895V7VaI