Binghamton University Community Schools (BUCS) partners with the United Way of Broome County's Healthy Lifestyles Coalition to facilitate weekly community cafes at the Lee Barta Community Center in the North Side of Binghamton. The cafes draw the parents of children who attend local schools and other community members interested in coming together for a safer, healthier community.
"The cool thing about these community cafes," says Sara Hall, assistant director of Community Schools, "is that they are really directed by the community members. The community determines the topics they're concerned about or interested in. We may bring in speakers or provide guidance on how best to make progress in those areas, but they are the leaders."
In recent months, the community cafes have featured representatives from various community
organizations that can help address the concerns and ideas brought forward by residents.
Some of these organizations include United Health Care, Mothers and Babies Perinatal
Network, Child Protective Services, the Food and Health Network, and the Retired &
Senior Volunteer Program. The connections made through the community cafes provide
residents with convenient access to vital resources.
BUCS has also used the community cafes to bring residents together to discuss difficult topics. One discussion about implicit bias — what it is and how to address it — was very well received and was a catalyst for some great dialogue with residents.
Matthew LaSorte MS '18 is the BUCS family and community engagement coordinator for the North Side, a position developed last fall thanks to the Klee Foundation's investment in the neighborhood. The Lee Barta Community Center and the community cafes provide residents with powerful opportunities to gain the leadership skills necessary to bring such a diverse community together, according to LaSorte. He says several community members have recently stepped up and been instrumental in moving the community forward.
"One community member has been coming to the Lee Barta Center for a year. They have really shown some leadership skills [and have] helped bridge the gap between the Liberty Street and Town & Country communities, helping us identify the needs of others and put into action ways to address these needs."
Photos: Banner - Community members and United Way staff outside the Lee Barta Community Center. Right - A resident of the North Side of Binghamton with ornaments she made during a holiday community cafe at the Lee Barta Community Center.