River Rock Youth Center
Donation protected
We are writing you today on behalf of our community organization, the River Rock Community Coalition Inc. We founded this organization in 2012 as a small community group, conducting neighborhood clean up activities, as well as donation drives for the emergency food bank and "Toys for Tots." In the last three plus years we have formed a partnership with other local community organizations, as well as individual activists. Through the relationships we have forged in our community activities, we have assembled a core of committed and accomplished community leaders to head our organization moving forward.
In 2013 we began research and analysis efforts throughout the community, and identified the most vital need of the Riverside community to be a revitalization of the Tonawanda/Ontario Street Business District. The Riverside neighborhood has seen a vast decline over the past few decades, even worse so than the city of Buffalo in general. While other neighborhoods within the city have seen revitalization efforts recently, the Riverside neighborhood continues to decline in all measurable demographics. While we understand this problem, and its solution, to be a bit more complex in nature; we feel that we have identified the starting point.
The Tonawanda/Ontario Street Business District was once a flourishing strip, with many small businesses providing the surrounding community with everything they could possibly need. There were cafe's, bakeries, pharmacies, restaurants and of course taverns. Sadly, the years have not been kind to the area, and a great majority of the storefronts now sit vacant, and have been for many years. However, with a beautiful Olmsted Park, and many mixed-use properties available for below market value, there is much potential.
Our organization has formulated a plan to revitalize this Business District, one project and one property at a time. We have researched property data, walked the street many times to view prospective properties and have begun to coordinate with the Buffalo Erie Niagara Land Improvement Corporation. Our current project, "Lead by Example - River Rock Youth Center" we plan to acquire one of these dormant mixed-use properties, renovate it; and open a small community center, offering valuable services to local youth. We also have plans to secure (3) city owned vacant lots and develop them into a small community park.
I am reaching out to all of you, as we are attempting to forge our initial funding relationships. We understand that it can be difficult for a newly formed charitable organization to secure funding and we are requesting any assistance you may be able to provide. Any funds raised in this campaign will be utilized to apply for matching grants, such as the Better Buffalo Fund - Main Streets Initiative.
Relaying wise words from our great President John F. Kennedy, "one person can make a difference, and everyone should try."
In 2013 we began research and analysis efforts throughout the community, and identified the most vital need of the Riverside community to be a revitalization of the Tonawanda/Ontario Street Business District. The Riverside neighborhood has seen a vast decline over the past few decades, even worse so than the city of Buffalo in general. While other neighborhoods within the city have seen revitalization efforts recently, the Riverside neighborhood continues to decline in all measurable demographics. While we understand this problem, and its solution, to be a bit more complex in nature; we feel that we have identified the starting point.
The Tonawanda/Ontario Street Business District was once a flourishing strip, with many small businesses providing the surrounding community with everything they could possibly need. There were cafe's, bakeries, pharmacies, restaurants and of course taverns. Sadly, the years have not been kind to the area, and a great majority of the storefronts now sit vacant, and have been for many years. However, with a beautiful Olmsted Park, and many mixed-use properties available for below market value, there is much potential.
Our organization has formulated a plan to revitalize this Business District, one project and one property at a time. We have researched property data, walked the street many times to view prospective properties and have begun to coordinate with the Buffalo Erie Niagara Land Improvement Corporation. Our current project, "Lead by Example - River Rock Youth Center" we plan to acquire one of these dormant mixed-use properties, renovate it; and open a small community center, offering valuable services to local youth. We also have plans to secure (3) city owned vacant lots and develop them into a small community park.
I am reaching out to all of you, as we are attempting to forge our initial funding relationships. We understand that it can be difficult for a newly formed charitable organization to secure funding and we are requesting any assistance you may be able to provide. Any funds raised in this campaign will be utilized to apply for matching grants, such as the Better Buffalo Fund - Main Streets Initiative.
Relaying wise words from our great President John F. Kennedy, "one person can make a difference, and everyone should try."
Organizer
George A. Fitzpatrick
Organizer
Buffalo, NY
