IMPACT
Voices from the community.
Across Buffalo Niagara, leaders from churches, nonprofits, healthcare organizations, and community institutions share a common hope for the future of our neighborhoods. Many have offered words of encouragement and support as KC Community Development begins its work to strengthen families and expand access to housing, education, healthcare, and workforce development. Their reflections highlight the collaborative spirit that makes lasting community impact possible.
“Eight Days of Hope has a simple mission: to love and serve those in need. We are so proud to partner with KCCD in this effort that will be loving and serving communities in need, specifically in Niagara Falls where the need is great.”
— Trace Gillis, Eight Days Of Hope (EDOH)
Eight Days of Hope
Community Missions of Niagara Frontier
“The prospect of having additional housing units is most exciting to me. I believe that, given their location, it further demonstrates that homelessness crossed all socio-emotional, economic, and ethnic boundaries within the city of Niagara Falls. Homelessness is not limited to a particular zip code or stereotypical geographic locations within a city. Anyone can be the face of homelessness.”
“The stability of individuals in housing is what will continue to increase the stability of the city as a whole in all aspects of a person's life. Having stable housing matters to individuals' school performance, sense of security, provides workers within their community, and allows for funds to be expended closer to home for daily needs, recreation, and belonging.”
“The stability of individuals in housing is what will continue to increase the stability of the city as a whole in all aspects of a person's life.”
— Robyn L. Krueger, President & CEO,
Community Missions of Niagara Frontier, Inc.
“The concept of a hub for services, and the Kingdom impact of addressing other social challenges as a context for common grace and gospel proclamation (particularly in housing, education, and healthcare.) I hope KCCD will have a measurable change in quality of life and neighborhood vitality in the Buffalo-Niagara region.”
— Jeremy Hazelton, Partnerships & Mobilization Director at The Chapel
Faith-Based Partner
“It’s encouraging to see KCCD reaching into a part of town that people don’t think needs resources. This is an opportunity to strengthen the community and promote health equity for all. I hope that the work of KCCD in Niagara Falls and the greater western New York Region can be a catalyst to further economic development models in our city.”
— Brian Archie, Executive Director of Create a Healthier Niagara Falls Collaborative
Healthier Niagara Falls Collaborative
“As a church, we understand the historical roots of schools and hospitals. Around the world, these institutions were started by churches, caring for the people in the communities where they were built and developed. KCCD looks to get after these deficiencies and address real needs. Any organization whose goal is to improve the way of life for its citizens, and not just benefit oneself, is exciting. In putting others’ needs first, KCCD has the opportunity to show WNY that it is for the betterment of the community and its people.”
The Chapel at Niagara Falls
“In putting other's needs first, KCCD has the opportunity to show WNY that it is for the betterment of the community and its people.”
— Mark Cushing, Campus Pastor, The Chapel at Niagara Falls
“I'm excited about the opportunity to open more of our campus to partners and services that will have a real impact in our community. When churches, ministries, and organizations link arms around the good of Niagara Falls, so much becomes possible. I'm encouraged by the partnerships forming and excited to see what's ahead.”
“My hope is that the efforts of KCCD will help Niagara Falls and all of WNY to grow and thrive, and that the community resource center will be just one of many opportunities for our neighbors to experience the love of Jesus as we help meet their tangible needs.”
“There is a tremendous need in areas like housing, education, health, and workforce development. While many organizations are already doing incredible work in our community, I believe partnerships like this can strengthen what's already happening and even serve as a model for future partnerships as we work together for the long-term good of Niagara Falls.”
“My hope is that the efforts of KCCD will help Niagara Falls and all of WNY to grow and thrive, and that the community resource center will be just one of many opportunities for our neighbors to experience the love of Jesus as we help meet their tangible needs.”
— Allie Quader, Campus Director, The Chapel at Niagara Falls
KCCD Board Member
“Through the work of KCCD, my hope is that we will be able to provide hope for a better future and hope for a certain eternity in many lives in WNY.”
— Leroy Wiggins Jr., KCCD Board Member
“Personally, the aspect that I'm most excited about is that KCCD will be actively engaged in Workforce Development. Meaning and purposeful works helps to bring sustainability to a person's life and mission. To be able to help people embark upon meaningful work and to use their God given skills and talents is a blessing and something I believe God would desire His people to do. I'm excited to just a small part of that.”
“Through the work of KCCD, my hope is that we will be able to provide hope for a better future and hope for a certain eternity in many lives in WNY.
“Created in God's image, we have inherent dignity, value, and worth, my hope is that through healthcare, housing, education, and work initiatives, KCCD will be able to bring holistic life change and see our region become a beacon.”
“We know that there are many things in life that are challenging and can seem insurmountable. Many things that we can not address or resolve alone. Knowing that KCCD will work tirelessly on housing, healthcare, education, and workforce, means that a collective pool of skills, talents, and resources will be available to the WNY community for its holistic restoration.”
KCCD Advisory Team Member
“Connecting individuals to both health and healthcare programs and services along with assisting individuals in navigating the healthcare system provides opportunity to support individuals in achieving and living a healthier lifestyle.”
— Carol Cassell, KCCD Advisory Team Member
“The Community Resource Center on 66th Street provides a faith-based, value and purpose-driven environment connecting individuals within the surrounding community to both health and healthcare resources, services, tools, and supports through education and empowerment with the goals of achieving improvements in healthy living, education, and work.
At the same time, the Community Resource Center provides an opportunity for the community to share their gifts and talents through volunteerism, building and enhancing both individual and community relationships.”
“Connecting individuals to both health and healthcare programs and services, along with assisting individuals in navigating the healthcare system, provides an opportunity to support individuals in achieving and living a healthier lifestyle.”
“KCCD recognizes the wholeness of an individual through a holistic, value-driven, and faith-based approach, seeking to understand individual and community needs, collaborating with the community to prioritize and address the needs, and integrating programs and services with accessibility and sustainability.”