Say Yes Buffalo

11/24/2025

Annual Appeal: What Investment in Youth Looks Like - https://mailchi.mp/2ca34afbd9c3/annual-appeal-what-investment-in-youth-looks-like

11/21/2025

Tomorrow is the FOURTH Saturday of the month, which means that all FOURTH graders in the Greater Buffalo area in addition to one or two family members can get FREE admission to some excellent museums and cultural attractions including Explore & More at Canalside and the Botanical Gardens! Full details in the flyer.

11/19/2025

Say Yes Buffalo’s Modern Youth Apprenticeship (MYA) program not only positively impacts the lives of our apprentices, but it helps our employer partners create thriving workplaces for all young professionals. Jon Danat, Senior Branch Manger at M&T Bank and cohort 3 apprentice supervisor recently shared his team’s positive experience with MYA.

“Our experience with MYA and with our apprentice, Diamond, has helped change our perspective on hiring, onboarding and training young talent in our organization. This was Diamond’s first job, and it was interesting watching her grow and to be involved in her professional development. There were challenges because this was her first opportunity in a structured work environment. But Diamond was receptive to all advice and ran with the opportunity.

Having Diamond on our team has influenced our work culture by providing a breath of fresh air and a new perspective on a lot of things in the branch. Open communication and treating Diamond as a full-fledged member of staff has helped our team build a strong relationship with her. Hiring fresh from high school allows us to develop someone into the role versus hiring someone who already has entry level understanding of what their role is and tries to make it something it’s not.
It’s been amazing to watch Diamond grow in such a short period of time!”

Employers interested in learning more about MYA can reach out to Emily Vargas, Business Development Supervisor: evargas@sayyesbuffalo.org

11/19/2025

🎁🍸We're hoping to help dozens of families we work with in our Family Support program with thoughtful and useful holiday gifts! Come by for a drink and a bite and help a neighbor at the same time. Can't come? We'd love for you to join our campaign by grabbing an item from our Amazon wishlist accessed by the QR code.

11/17/2025

This Saturday (11/22) The Rousseau Foundation will be distributing 100 free turkeys along with grocery bags full of Thanksgiving foods at Harvey Austin BPS 97! Distribution will start at 11:00am.

The giveaway is open to all, so if you or someone you know is in need of food for the holiday season, please stop by.

Buffalo Public Schools

11/13/2025

Our friends from Empower Federal Credit Union came by the office today and delivered a gift to our Scholarship Endowment Fund. Thank you for "empowering" our youth with your support!

11/10/2025

Dine for a cause!

From November 11–13, 4pm–close, P.F. Chang’s at the Walden Galleria will be donating 10% of each bill to support Say Yes Buffalo when you show this flyer or present it on your phone.

Come out, enjoy a delicious meal, and support our mission of empowering Buffalo students and families!

📍 P.F. Chang’s in the Walden Galleria Mall
1 Galleria Dr. TH151, Buffalo, NY 14225

We hope to see you there!

11/06/2025

Yet another reason to head out to Saturday Academy!

📣📣📣To address the recent halt in SNAP benefits, the Buffalo Bills in collaboration with Buffalo Go Green and Massachusetts Ave Project are bringing free mobile markets to select BPS Saturday Academies, November 1st through November 22nd.

🥦🍎🫑These markets will provide up to $20 of free fresh produce to those directly impacted by the delay. Product is limited.

Markets will begin this Saturday, Nov. 1st at School 89 Lydia T. Wright and School 94 West Hertel Academy, both starting at 10:30am.

All attendees must adhere to security protocols for Saturday Academies.

Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Go Green, Inc.
Massachusetts Avenue Project
BPS Community Schools
Buffalo Public Schools

11/05/2025

Buffalo high school seniors, mark your calendars! Can't make it to the event, sign up here: https://sayyesbuffalo.org/cap/

11/04/2025

Are you a Buffalo public or charter school graduate age 18-24 years old who needs a connection to local employment opportunities? Say Yes Buffalo can help! Say Yes’ Workforce Development Solutions offers three unique pathways to provide life-changing opportunities that prepare young professionals for careers in advanced manufacturing, business operations, culinary operations, financial services, IT, healthcare, and more- including our signature Modern Youth Apprenticeship program.

Join us during our Lunch & Learn on November 13th @ 1:00PM at Say Yes Buffalo, 1166 Jefferson Ave, Suite A, Buffalo, NY!

Please RSVP to the event through this link:
https://sayyesbuffalo.wufoo.com/forms/x1cwkdtb0c8ehii/

Contact Shara Armprester for more information!
sarmpreseter@sayyesbuffalo.org
716-954-2401

10/31/2025

Congratulations to our CEO David Rust for receiving the Community Action Organization of Western New York's Community Ally Award for his work in raising up the cause of our area's youth and families in need of support and for fostering and empowering a workforce that is representative of the city's diversity.

Rust used his comments to stress the need to work organizations like the CAO in the coming weeks and months to help our neighbors navigate the consequences reduced funding for safety net services.

10/31/2025

BPS Community Schools Navigator Daytuan Antonetti along with Buffalo Public Schools Frank A. Sedita Academy #30 staff took a group of students to tour Niagara University yesterday, giving them a taste of their future could look like with the Say Yes scholarship. Thanks to M&T Bank for chipping in and covering the cost of the bus and lunch so our students could experience Niagara University!