Photo: Farm Security Administration migrant labor camp, photographer of record: Dorothea Lange
“Send these, the homeless, the tempest-tost, to me.”
The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus
I have always loved that Buffalo is considered the City of Good Neighbors. Few organization embody this spirt more than Vive la Casa, our third quarter awardee.
Vive has been a place of refuge for migrants for more than forty years! Vive offers individuals and families a safe place to stay, meals, and access to gently used clothing and items, fulfilling basic needs so its residents can focus on the tough business of resettling, including the process of building a new community.
I cannot take full credit for this decision. During our monthly meeting, I happened to ask our agents who they would suggest as a potential awardee. Kekeli and Danita, said, nearly in unison, Vive. Kekeli went on to explain.
For Kekeli, who migrated to the U.S. when he was young, Vive takes on a special significance. Kekeli’s family and friends have passed through Vive’s doors as they sought out a new home in our great city. To give back, he volunteers in their kitchen at least once each year and has befriended many there.
“At that moment, I knew. I knew the way you know about a good melon.”1 In reality, I know nothing about identifying good melons, but you get it.
If you would like to join us in supporting Vive. You can mail a check with “Vive” in the memo to:
Jericho Road Community Health Center
184 Barton St.
Buffalo, NY 14213
Please note: Jericho Road cannot deposit checks made payable directly to Vive.
You can also donate your time and gently used items. For more information, please go to Jericho Road Community Health Center’s website.
With peace, love, and gratitude,
Vanessa Glushefski
- When Harry Met Sally, 1989. ↩︎
