Campus Ministry

Campus Ministry

Canisius for Buffalo Program – Local Community Service

Campus Ministry’s Canisius for Buffalo Program is local community service outreach to people in need in the City of Buffalo. The purpose of our local immersion program is to increase the awareness of the world around us. Direct community service enhances and enriches the Canisius educational experience; it allows participants to see the world and to see oneself with new insight. The Service experiences also helps students develop valuable relationship, career, leadership and social skills.

Campus Ministry’s Community Service Interns serve as student liaisons between a particular community partner agency in the Canisius for Buffalo Program and the Canisius College community. Community service placements may be made for individuals, student clubs or groups.

The following is a list of our community partners including a list of where our community service interns are serving for the 2012-2013 academic year. The time and availability of options are not only limited to the time when the intern is serving.

Campus Ministry has four outreach meal programs which are direct service to the poor and homeless in Buffalo. They are:

Sandwich and Spirituality Ministry (Sunday 4pm - 5:30pm)
St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy Dining Room Thursday, Friday 3:15 - 5:00pm and Saturdays 10 - 1:00pm
South Buffalo Community Table Soup Kitchen Wednesdays 2:45pm back on campus by 5:50 pm 
Buffalo Burrito Project 4th Tuesday of the month 5:30pm – 8:30pm

Sandwich & Spirituality Ministry:

Each week Canisius students prepare sandwiches, hot chocolate, and cookies and serve them to the homeless. There is usually a group of 10-15 students each week. Participants work in teams and serve as a group.

When: Sunday 4pm - 5:30pm
Contact: Dennis Long '13 - long33@canisius.edu or Joe Van Volkenburg - vanvolkj@canisius.edu 888-2875
Learn More

Burrito Project

The Burrito Project provides fresh home-made burritos to the poor and homeless population in downtown Buffalo. The project is a ministry to some of the most vulnerable and forgotten of our society.  On the fourth Tuesday of each month we prepare burritos in the kitchen in the Undercroft of our chapel from 5:30-6:30 p.m. We walk the 4 mile route from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

SPACE IS LIMITED: Please sign up with Dennis Long '13, service intern, at long33@canisius.edu.

When: 4th Tuesday of each month
Contact: Dennis Long '13 - long33@canisius.edu or Joe Van Volkenburg - vanvolkj@canisius.edu 888-2875

South Buffalo Community Table Soup Kitchen (SBCT)

Our students help prepare and serve home cooked meals for the guests. View power point below for a typical day in the dining room and for more information.

When: Wednesday: 2:30pm - 5:50pm*
Contact: Dennis Long '13 - long33@canisius.edu or Joe Van Volkenburg - vanvolkj@canisius.edu 888-2875

*Transportation is provided--we will make sure to have you back for those of you who have a 6pm class.

View the South Buffalo Community Table Power Point here (.pdf)

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with people in need to build and renovate decent, affordable housing. The Canisius Chapter of Habitat for Humanity partners with Habitat for Humanity Buffalo most Saturdays of the school year.

Spring 2013 Build Dates:
Saturday, March 23
Saturday, April 13
Saturday, April 20 (Canisius Community Day)
Find us on Facebook

Contact: Joe Van Volkenburg - vanvolkj@canisius.edu 888-2875

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels for Western New York, Inc. supports the dignity, well-being and independence of the homebound elderly and disabled through home-delivered nutrition programs.

Meals on Wheels of WNY and Canisius College Campus Ministry partner together at the Delores Nelson Site on Brunswick Boulevard in the Hamlin Park section of Buffalo. 

It is a limited time commitment but is good, direct and meaningful servie. Everyone we bring a meal to is appreciative. For many of the clients, talking with Canisius students for a few minutes is the highlight of their day.

When: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday:11:30am - 12:20pm
Contact: Joe Van Volkenburg in Campus Ministry, x2875, vanvolkj@canisius.edu

ENERGY After School Program

ENERGY is an after school program for children in grades 2-6.  The program, based out of the Westminster Presbyterian Church, focuses on developing strong study, skills, building community between mentors and students while providing an atmosphere that makes learning fun.

When: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, 4:30pm - 6:45pm
Contact: Allison Tortelli - tortella@canisius.edu or Joe Van Volkenburg - vanvolkj@canisius.edu 888-2875

Our Lady of Hope Home School

Our Lady of Hope Home School is a located at St. Luke's Mission of Mercy in Buffalo. In August of 1994, St. Luke's Mission of Mercy served its first meal on the east side of Buffalo. In 2004, they founded a new school to provide a Christ-centered education to the children who live in the community.

There is a brief video on the school's homepage that captures the spirit and mission of the school. All considering community service with Our Lady of Hope are encouraged to watch the video.

When: Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:00am-3:30pm.. Transportation will be provided.
Contact: Abigail Fronchowiak - fronkoa@canisius.edu or Joe Van Volkenburg - vanvolkj@canisius.edu 888-2875.

St. Luke's Mission of Mercy

St. Luke's Mission of Mercy is a Roman Catholic Mission on Buffalo's east side. Currently students work with the missionaries in their soup kitchen.

When: Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays: 3:20pm - 5:30pm and Saturday 10-1pm (other times are available upon request)
*Meet in the 2nd floor lounge of Old Main
Contact: Zoe Morse - morsez@canisius.edu or Joe Van Volkenburg - vanvolkj@canisius.edu 888-2875

VIVE La Casa

VIVE La Casa is an interfaith organization which serves world refugees seeking asylum both in United States and Canada. The refugees are provided with food, shelter, clothing, healthcare, and legal services as they await their appointment to enter Canada or their USA asylum hearing.

When: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 4:00pm-6pm. Arrangements for weekends and other times are available upon request. 
Contact: Tara Cicatello - cicatelt@canisius.edu or Joe Van Volkenburg - vanvolkj@canisius.edu 888-2875

Bristol Home

The Bristol Home is an adult home for seniors at 1500 Main Street. The Bristol Home has a tradition of caring and support for over 140 years, and made it their business to look after the physical, emotional and medical welfare of their residents. Their mission is to not only maintain overall health, but to improve the quality of life for each one of their residents.

When: Mondays from 1:00pm-4:00pm and Tuesdays from 5:00pm-8:00pm
Contact: Amber Kolodziejski - kolodz2@canisius.edu or Joe Van Volkenburg - vanvolkj@canisius.edu 888-2875

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