Buffalo Futures

06/08/2026

Due to strong community interest, we've expanded eligibility to ages 13-24, giving more players the chance to get involved.
The bracket is taking shape and we're now accepting our final team entries.
⚠️ Limited spots remain.
🏆 Championship trophy & medals
⭐ Tournament MVP award
🎁 Special prize for the tournament champions
🍔 Free food & refreshments for players
🎟️ Free raffles for spectators
📅 June 27
👥 Ages 13-24
🏀 FREE Entry
Get your team registered today and secure your place before the deadline.
Sign up using the link below:
https://www.caowny.org/futurestakeover

05/26/2026

Stop by Buffalo Futures table tomorrow to learn about open positions and resources.

05/22/2026

Buffalo Futures and Open Buffalo in Albany at the 2026 NYS Youth Justice Conference, sharing our mission, screening clips from the documentary Voices of Buffalo, and discussing ways to strengthen the Youth Rapid Support Network through collaboration, outreach, and community support. Joined by Tiara Parker, Senior Director of Buffalo Futures, and Devon Patterson, Director of Community Engagement at Open Buffalo.

05/15/2026

After serving as Senior Director for 3yrs, launching Buffalo Futures, Jerrell Mason is beginning a new chapter as Community Impact Director Program Director, Joy, Restoration, Resilience / Individual Power at the John R. Oishei Foundation. His leadership helped shape Buffalo Futures into a youth-centered platform focused on opportunity, workforce development, and wraparound support for young people across Buffalo. We are excited to see his continued impact on the community.

Please join us in welcoming Jerrell Mason to the Oishei Foundation as Community Impact Program Director, Joy, Restoration, Resilience / Individual Power.

Jerrell’s leadership is grounded in relationship-building and a deep commitment to Buffalo’s East Side communities. In this role, he will help advance work focused on healing, opportunity, individual agency, and long-term community power-building.

More about Jerrell and the work he'll help lead here: https://oishei.org/news/article:jerrell-mason-joins-as-community-impact-director/

05/12/2026

Updated participating employer alert🚨 ahead of the CAO of WNY job fair. Please share with anyone who may be interested in career opportunities with CAO or our participating partners!

05/08/2026

Looking to make an impact while serving the community?
Join us at the CAO of WNY Job Fair and explore current job openings across CAO.
📅 May 27, 2026 | ⏰ 2–6 PM
📍 422 Pratt St., Buffalo, NY 14204
Meet directly with representatives from departments that are actively hiring and take the next step in your career.

04/20/2026

We’re proud to celebrate one of our incredible youth leaders from Buffalo Futures, Jy’Ahzhannae Taylor, on being honored as part of the Empower 716 Young Entrepreneurs of Color Award Class of 2026.

Jy’Ahzhannae continues to represent what leadership, creativity, and determination look like in action through her work with Blaze Athletics and Blaze Cheerleading. Her commitment to growth and impact is exactly what Buffalo Futures is all about.

This recognition is well deserved, and we’re excited to see what’s next for her journey.

Join us in congratulating Jy’Ahzhannae and continuing to invest in the future of young entrepreneurs in our community.

04/04/2026

Earlier this week, we had the honor of hosting a free public screening of Voices of Buffalo—and what a powerful night it was.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who came out to support, watch the documentary, and take part in such a meaningful conversation. Your presence helped make this event more than just a screening; it became a space for reflection, dialogue, and connection across our community.

Produced by Buffalo Futures, Voices of Buffalo highlights the real experiences, challenges, and aspirations of young people in our city. It was inspiring to see so many engaged in the discussion that followed.

A special thank you to Buffalo State University for hosting us, and to the Buffalo Bills for generously donating merchandise for our raffle.

Thank you again to all who attended and contributed to the energy of the evening. We’re proud to continue this work and keep these important conversations going.

Stay tuned, this is just the beginning.

03/30/2026

Hear it from Jy’Ahzhannae; Voices of Buffalo is a must-see.

This powerful documentary from CAO of WNY and Buffalo Futures brings real stories of youth in Buffalo to the forefront—highlighting workforce development, overcoming barriers, and what’s possible when opportunity meets support.

Good news: another screening is right around the corner on April 1. It’s not too late to be part of it.

Register now: caowny.org/voicesofbuffalodoc

03/30/2026

2 days away! Have you RSVP'd yet?

caowny.org/voicesofbuffalodoc

Only 9 Days Away!
Join us for the public viewing of the Buffalo Futures: Voice of Buffalo Documentary!

Date: April 1, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Buffalo State University – Bulger Communication Center, Room 215
1300 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222

Come hear powerful, real stories from Buffalo youth—their challenges, their dreams, and their vision for a stronger community. This is your chance to see how we can come together to uplift and support their future.

PLUS:
Interactive Q&A session — your voice matters!
Light refreshments
A chance to win a prize
RSVP by March 24, 2026 to be entered into the giveaway: https://lnkd.in/gCMVZrZR

Let’s show up. Let’s uplift our youth. Let’s build a stronger Buffalo—together. 💙