Buffalo ReUse
A note from Michael Gainer:
First of all, to those that have already spent time on a job site, developing some aspect of our program, or planning an event…a heartfelt thank you! To those eager to get involved in building our organization for the future, we welcome your skills, talents, commitment, and passion.
It was our vision in creating Buffalo ReUse, that we would divert money currently spent on demolition into job creation and ultimately job training for youth ages 18 -24. This we will accomplish and our trained staff will be significant in meeting the terms of our research and development grant and provide a skilled workforce that can take on the task of deconstruction full-time. That being said, the scope of our work is wide and far reaching and with each passing day we learn of new areas in which our organization can be of service to the community. This is where your contributions, time, and energy come into play! For Buffalo ReUse is far more than just deconstruction, as our Program Manager Kevin Hayes says, “we’re about people.” He’s right and it is people like you that will help us to serve more needs here in the City of Buffalo, from developing a retail store to revitalizing communities through grassroots projects and organizing.
So here’s the big question, HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED? What’s great is that there are needs in the organization for varying skills and abilities. We’re building an organization from scratch, so as you can imagine there is a lot of work to do. Here’s a list of a few opportunities for which you can be involved.
MARKETING COMMITTEE. Wow! This is a biggie! It’s critical that we get the word out to the Buffalo community and surrounding areas so folks know that they can access our services. Caesandra will be providing leadership for this committee and has already started the ball rolling on blogs, myspace pages, and youtube videos…there’s an immense potential here, not to mention improving and expanding our website capacity. Are you a WRITER or DESIGNER? We’re developing promotional literature to spread the word of our work to contractors and homeowners. Maybe you’ve seen our recent articles in the Buffalo News or ArtVoice. We’d like to cast the net further and get more stories written in more papers…letters to the editor, press releases, or feature stories, are all ways to get free publicity in papers. If video production, editing, design, writing, radio, etc. is your interest… send an email to Caesandra at marketing@buffaloreuse.org . I know she’s wanting to convene a meeting soon, so send her a line ASAP.
FIELD SERVICES. Strong back? Like getting dirty? Skilled or unskilled, we’ll prepare you for the job. We have tools, hardhats, gloves, and masks to get you going. It’s great if you have workboots, because sometimes the working conditions are extreme. Right now we have a lot of projects in the works and often get calls for salvage and pickups. The volume isn’t heavy right now, but I anticipate it will be picking up soon. Send an email to field@buffaloreuse.org , with your phone number and the days and times your available. I’ll make sure you’re informed of upcoming work when it’s available.
RETAIL and SALES. SOON…not soon enough, we’ll be making a move to a larger warehouse that will eventually be our retail store. So much is about presentation and organization. We don’t want to be JUST a store, we want to be a destination. That means our store will incorporate art, history, architecture, and community. If you have an eye for aesthetic presentation, a knack for organization, or an interest in unique materials, we’d love to have you involved in either organizing, staffing, or developing our store. Kevin is the go-to guy for this work. Right now we’re open on Sunday’s from 11-4 p.m. and that’s a great time to plug in, just stop by, but we’re also working on the layout and design for our new space so we’ll need to put heads together to work out a plan. Send an email to retail@buffaloreuse.org and Kevin will be in touch.
Here are some other very specific things that we will need help with in the short term. Send an email to info@buffaloreuse.org indicating what you’d like to work on and we’ll meet-up and help get the ball rolling. These projects completed by individuals or in small teams. Check out volunteer link for other volunteer ideas. Here are a few thoughts…
EDUCATORS. Assist in developing a job training curriculum guide.
COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS. Community resource manual to assist neighborhoods/block clubs.
SAFETY TRAINERS. We would love your expertise and support.
DOCUMENTARIAN. Organizing print materials, video documentation, photos, etc for future fund-raising, etc.
And one last thing, there’s something about start-ups, sometimes they drop the ball. If you don’t feel like we’re using your skills wisely or following up with you regularly enough, call us or email. We have volunteers that call regularly and check in and typically we find ways for them to contribute. Stay in touch, visit our store, get involved. So look forward to working with all of you.
Onward,
Michael
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Michael Gainer
716-949-0900
www.BuffaloReUse.org
Buffalo ReUse is a not-for-profit organization committed to developing the practice of a deconstruction, to serve as a vehicle for job creation, building materials reclamation, and community development.
We provide an alternative to the practice of demolition; salvage building materials from construction, renovation, and demolition projects; and provide a source of high quality building materials for sale to the public.
Please contact us if you would like to donate materials you have stashed away in your basement, if you’d like an estimate for deconstruction services, or if you’d like to purchase salvaged building materials…716-885-4131.
