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December 2009 Dear Friend of ReUse, Last week, I received a letter from the Erie County Holding Center from a young man, Clyde, a recent employee of Buffalo ReUse. I spent six weeks with him in the Allegheny National Forest during a leadership and training experience when I first relocated to Buffalo in 2006. Since that time, Clyde has struggled personally, even at times while employed with ReUse; yet he has also exhibited moments of brilliance and tremendous promise. Currently, after two years on probation for a misdemeanor, he’s serving time for a probation violation.  Clyde wrote the letter to communicate his gratitude for all that ReUse had done to support him. He said, “You seemed to keep your faith in me and never gave up on me, even when I gave up on myself. I came to you when I couldn’t come to anyone.” He continued, “you all have taught me a lot and you were the first people to give me a chance. This time has made me realize how much the streets aren’t for me. I’m getting my GED in here and when I get home I’m going to take home inspection classes to be a home inspector.” Clyde’s genuine self-evaluation combined with the commitment of those that care, will provide him the opportunity him to contribute to his family and his community once again.  These moments make us pause. They bring perspective to our work. They help us prioritize how we should spend our time and how we, at ReUse, must focus our efforts in order to initiate the changes we hope to see in our communities. Every young man and woman deserves a chance. Young adults deserve access to resources, mentors, and opportunities to help them see what’s possible, not only in their personal lives, but in the larger community. In 2010, we’ll provide this access by renewing our campaign to pilot the ReBEL Corps Program (Buffalo Environmental Leaders) to mentor, educate, and train out-of-school young adults. We resolve to increase access to community, jobs and resources. Just as young adults face challenges and develop, so too has Buffalo ReUse turned a corner in our own evolution and development. We started with an idea to deconstruct buildings and salvage materials—now we have the proven concept of Green Demolition. We began with the belief that a demand existed for the materials we divert from the landfill—now The ReSource is a destination for thousands of customers each year. We embraced the East Side of Buffalo, because we believed that increased energy, commitment, and resources could make a difference—now we’re leading community efforts to reduce blight and improve the historic Cold Spring and Masten neighborhood.  Just as we envisioned, revenue from The ReSource and Green Demolition provides a significant proportion of the operating revenue for Buffalo ReUse. However, our efforts to support young adults and transform neighborhoods rely mostly on your financial support. For over two years we’ve bootstrapped new ideas and implemented efforts to improve the neighborhood’s morale through aesthetics and providing meaningful learning opportunities for youth. We now have a solid handle on what can work and what is still needed to expand.  In 2010, we launch ReAct!, our community partners program which mobilizes hundreds of volunteers from local organizations and corporations. These Action Events engage groups in hands-on community improvement. We’ll develop the educational focus of the ReSource, to educate the community about ways to save energy in their homes, reducing their utility bills and carbon footprint. We’ll also expand our urban agriculture efforts to support the neighborhood in achieving greater local food security. Your financial contribution makes a difference. Between now and The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, January 18, 2010, we’ve set an ambitious goal to raise $12,000 to support these community-focused goals. Funds raised will be committed to the hiring of two full-time AmeriCorps Members who will serve for one year to expand community and educational opportunities. Your contribution enables our programs to serve more individuals in the neighborhood. In addition to a financial contribution, please plan to visit us at the ReSource in the New Year. Share with your friends and colleagues the importance of donating used building materials as one strategy for protecting the environment and supporting our effort. Participate in a Service Day or tree planting with your friends, and get others involved. Young people like Clyde have a great deal to contribute to all of us. Our organization, and the larger community, has a lot to gain from your abundant experiences and your passion. Now is the opportunity to contribute your self.  Thanks so much for considering a donation to Buffalo ReUse. You can mail a check to 158 Eaton Street, Buffalo NY 14208 or you can easily and securely contribute online at www.BuffaloReUse.org/Donate. Onward, Michael Gainer and the whole Buffalo ReUse Crew |