WITHIN WNY

Imagine a world where local residents have the power to transform their own neighborhoods. Through the WITHIN Western New York (WNY) program, LISC reverses the narrative that neighborhood planning is a complex and confusing process. WITHIN WNY simplifies the community development process, and ensures development is driven by resident leaders. The name is intentional – community growth is grown from within.

The WITHIN WNY process makes space for community members to become architects of their own neighborhoods. It is grounded in building deep relationships with community partners who work closely with neighborhood residents. These partners include: neighborhood-based nonprofits, block clubs, faith-based partners, small business leaders, health equity partners, and small-scale local developers to name a few. As an open, inclusive, community-driven initiative, we bring together neighborhood voices, trusted partners, and supportive funders in an effort to better the wellbeing of residents using their own visions. Together with LISC, we collaboratively identify projects that sustain the positive momentum happening in our neighborhoods, and together, we get things done.

Throughout the process, we build shared tools and resources, like this guidebook and interactive map, that can be used by current, future, and past participants to support their work. As the program expands across the region, a learning exchange of multi-sector partners and residents will be created to share experiences and supports.”

LISC launched this program first on the East Side of Buffalo, the heart of Buffalo’s Black community. This was purposeful to build upon and lift up the long-time visions of residents and community leaders in neighborhoods most impacted by historic disinvestment, environmental, structural, & systemic racism.

Throughout the Western New York region, in urban, suburban, and rural areas, several factors indicate the need to grow and expand this program to drive investment within our communities. Cultural, health, and economic factors indicate the need for more communities to make the changes they know need to occur, from within. Together with you, we can make this happen.