The CAO-UB Community Wellness and Development Center

The University at Buffalo, Center for Urban Studies (CENTER) created a partnership with the Community Action Organization of Erie County in 2005 with a grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in order to create the CAO-UB Community Wellness and Neighborhood Development Center. The goal of the collaboration facilitates coordination of the CENTER's research, neighborhood planning, community development and technical support functions with the CAO's provision of community services and resources.

The CAO-UB Community Wellness and Neighborhood Development Center, is a component of the revitalization initiatives of the Fruit Belt and The Martin Luther King, Jr. Park neighborhoods. Its establishment has helped to strengthen the health, educational, and social infrastructure of both communities.

The CAO-UB center staffs four case managers which provide information to residents regarding job openings, employment training, education opportunities, home improvement assistance, emergency shelter and medical referral and community organizing skill-building. The center also houses classroom which can be used by block clubs and other community organizations for meetings as well as a computer lab which individuals may use for employment and computer literacy courses.

The CAO-UB Community Wellness and Neighborhood Development Center is an example of an initiative and commitment of the CENTER to engage the university as an anchor institution by collaborating with a community organization to transform neighborhood development and the social capital of distressed urban communities.