In November, 2005, Niagara University received a federally funded grant through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of University Partnerships (OUP). With this funding, NU established ReNU Niagara a Community Outreach Partnership Center (COPC) on Main Street in Niagara Falls. The mission of the ReNU Niagara COPC was to improve the quality of life for Niagara Falls residents by initiating and supporting asset based, target activities in partnership with community leadership. COPC addressed the urgent multi-directional urban problems of: community capacity building, economic development and employment, and environmental justice and health.
Niagara University is deeply committed to the social, economic and physical revitalization of the Buffalo-Niagara region. As a cornerstone of NU's active engagement in the community and through its work with faculty, staff and collaborative partners, ReNU Niagara has completed projects to address urgent community needs and challenges. Examples include establishment of community vegetable gardens, tax preparation assistance, resident and organizational training (entrepreneurial, business development, fundraising, non-profit management), GIS asset mapping and the creation of a centralized volunteer center.
Over the past two years, ReNU Niagara has worked collaboratively with community partners to establish two community garden projects in Niagara Falls. In March 2008, ReNU Niagara partnered with several organizations to help with recruitment of local youth interested in planning, implementing and maintaining the "Keeping it Green" community vegetable garden. This garden is located in the south end of Niagara Falls on land owned and adjacent to the Niagara Falls Neighborhood Housing Service's executive offices and senior housing complex. The Niagara Falls Boys and Girl's Club has taken on garden responsibilities since its first season. Planning for the second garden began in January 2009 when ReNU Niagara partnered with the Highland Community Revitalization Committee, Inc. as well as the Henry J. Kalfas Magnet Elementary School to establish the Highland (Area) Community Vegetable Garden. Built on a lot adjacent to the Kalfas School, the community garden consists of 25 raised garden beds, rain barrels, and composters, promoting sustainable gardening practices.
The Highland Greenfields project and the 2008 "Keeping it Green" community garden project have been instrumental in shaping ReNU Niagara's future programs and services. These two projects clearly demonstrate ReNU Niagara's ability to mobilize an entire community of residents, bring people together from different neighborhoods and different age groups, build human and social capital, identify different assets in the community, and leverage resources. The two green neighborhood improvement projects have also given ReNU Niagara a unique identity among community stakeholders and a defined niche. Instead of being perceived as just a connection to Niagara University and its resources, ReNU Niagara is recognized as a trusted partner in Niagara Falls by local non-profits, community-based organizations, and residents as an individual program that is willing to take on "out of the box" projects and connect others to neighborhood improvement resources.
