Civic Engagement

Buffalo State students took part in an Alternative Spring Break opportunity, a two-day food-access-focused service project that introduced and supported three community partner initiatives that address the food security need in our community, on Wednesday, March 29, and Thursday, March 30. We worked with Five Loaves, an urban farming initiative; Big Big Table, a pay-what-you-can community café; and Provisions 139, a West Side food pantry. 

The nontraditional ASB two-day event did not have an overnight component. All participants returned to their respective homes at the end of the volunteer day.

This 20-hour civic engagement service project was a great opportunity for participants to be introduced to the three partnering organizations, support meaningful food access initiatives in our community, and learn about new ways to be civically engaged.

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Bengals Dare to Care Day is a Buffalo State tradition and a great volunteer experience for faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends of the institutionJoin the Buffalo State community for a morning of service alongside Buffalo community organizations and members.  This year’s theme is “community service which cannot be eclipsed.” Show your Bengal pride, demonstrate your social responsibility, and shine by registering today!

The Civic Engagement Series is an opportunity for Buffalo State students, faculty, and staff to learn about social justice issues on a local and national level, engage in on-campus service projects, and become aware of volunteer opportunities. 

Hey Bengals! Are you an R.A.? Are you part of a student group on campus? Or are you just looking to get involved by giving back to your community? Engage in a service project with your friends and student group members. We provide the materials; you'll return the finished projects to our office. From there, we will distribute to a community organization in need. 

Request a DIY Kit

In partnership with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance and the Civic and Community Engagement Office, the campus is supporting free self-assisted tax returns to students, alumni, community members, and faculty/staff. The Taxpayer Assistance Program (TAP) service allows you to file your New York state and federal taxes with the support of volunteers. 

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Buffalo State nominates one student annually for a Campus Compact Newman Civic Fellowship, which recognizes and supports community-committed students who have demonstrated an investment in finding solutions for challenges facing communities throughout the country.

Through the fellowship, Campus Compact provides learning opportunities throughout the one-year fellowship focused on the skills fellows need in order to serve as effective agents of change in addressing public problems and building equitable communities.

Buffalo State Newman Fellows

 

Buffalo State will celebrate 30 Days of Random Acts of Kindness February 17–March 18. Join the movement! Prompts will be posted on the Civic and Community Engagement’s social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Download your Buffalo State 30 Days RAK Calendar (PDF, 164 KB). Then share with us your act of kindness with #RAKBUFFSTATE.

Help spread love at Buffalo State University by knowing that a small gesture can create a big change one act at a time. Join us in celebrating 30 Days of Random Acts of Kindness.

For more fun ideas, check out 80 more kindness ideas.

“We cannot become what we want by remaining what we are.” – Max De Pree

The Student Civic Leadership Board meets monthly throughout the year to plan, implement, and guide civic engagement efforts at Buffalo State.

More Information on the SCLB

Be sure to vote. Your voice and your vote can affect change.  It's that simple.

More Information on Voting

The CCE has partnered with VolunteerWNY to give Buffalo State University students, faculty, and staff a centralizing connection with over 700 community agencies, joining in with over 16,000 volunteers across WNY to address community needs. VolunteerWNY is a collaboration between The Service Collaborative of WNY and United Way of Buffalo & Erie County, connecting volunteers with volunteer opportunities offered by non-profits, faith-based organizations, and educational institutions in Western New York.

Explore Buffalo State Partnering Organizations' Volunteer Opportunities:

Volunteer with Buffalo State 

Volunteer (U.S.): AmeriCorps

Coming Soon!