Journey's End

08/26/2026

What makes Buffalo a friendly neighbor?🤔 Friendly neighbors!🤗

A huge thank you to our wonderful neighbors at Lawley for volunteering with Journey’s End!🫰

With teamwork, energy, and plenty of heart, the Lawley team rolled up their sleeves and transformed our donation space into a clean, organized, and efficient area—helping us better serve the families in our community.🫶

That’s what being a good neighbor is all about: showing up, lending a hand, and making a difference together.🤝

Thank you, Lawley, for investing your time, talent, and heart in our mission. We’re so grateful for community partners like you! 🤍💙 🤍

08/25/2026

Can you guess what activities are featured in the photos? 👀 Drop your answers in the comments!⛵🪂⚽🧘‍♂️🦉

Take a look at these beautiful moments from Journey’s End’s picnic! 🧺🌞 From sunshine and delicious food to laughter, friendship, and plenty of smiles, it was a day filled with fun and unforgettable memories! 💙🩵💙

08/21/2026

1, 2, 3! Journey's End!!!💙
🙌✌️🫰🤙🫶
Journey’s End had a wonderful picnic yesterday, filled with sunshine, laughter, good food, and great company! 🌞🧺 It was a beautiful day spent making memories, enjoying the outdoors, and sharing plenty of smiles. Here’s a little highlight from a fun-filled day at Journey’s End!💙🤍💙

08/20/2026

Another great summer at Journey’s End Summer Camp! 🎉

As another summer camp comes to a close, we’re celebrating the fun, friendships, learning, and lasting memories made by so many of our young campers.

A huge thank you to all of our amazing volunteers who helped make this summer possible—including the young people from AmeriCorps, Canisius High School, and Alliance for Youth Leaders US. Your time, energy, creativity, and enthusiasm made a real difference!

Want to see the fun and impact for yourself? Check out the video on our new Journey’s End YouTube channel and take a look at some of the moments that made this summer so special!

Thank you to everyone who helped make another unforgettable summer possible. We couldn’t do it without you! 💙

PLEASE LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE!

https://youtu.be/h9cv96oY4U8?si=WfimbwNNmjY3YdpW

08/20/2026

08/11/2026

MEET MIN KO KO | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

What if your classroom had no walls?

Long before online learning became part of everyday life, Min Ko Ko was using the internet to connect students with education in Myanmar—earning recognition as Myanmar’s first online teacher and becoming a pioneer in digital education.

Today, we’re excited to welcome Min Ko Ko to Journey’s End Refugee Services as our new Community Engagement Manager!

With more than 15 years of experience in education, leadership, and community development, Ko Ko has worked with organizations including the East-West Center, World Bank, and Thabyay Education Foundation. He is also the founder of Natmauk Center, where he lead English-language and personal development programs in partnership with NGOs, businesses, and community organizations.

His journey has taken him from Myanmar to leadership programs across the United States and Southeast Asia, giving him a unique perspective on the power of education, connection, and community.

Now, he’s bringing that experience to Western New York—and to Journey’s End.

We’re excited to see the connections he’ll build, the communities he’ll engage, and the difference he’ll make alongside our team. 💙

Welcome to this new role, Ko Ko!

08/07/2026

What if we stopped viewing refugees only through the lens of humanitarian need—and started recognizing them as innovators, entrepreneurs, employees, and economic contributors?

This compelling article explores how investing in refugees creates stronger communities, thriving businesses, and long-term economic growth. It's a perspective worth reading and sharing.

Read more: https://ssir.org/articles/entry/impact-investing-refugee-economy

As humanitarian aid agencies buckle under the collapse of financial support, the private sector must step in to invest in refugees and integrate them into the economy. We review three models of success and offer investment strategies. | This article is free to all readers thanks to sponsorship by th...

08/05/2026

After spending 44 years building a successful career with technology companies in the Boston, Mass area, George Simmons made his way back to where it all began: Buffalo. Returning home has given him the chance to reconnect with the community he loves, enjoy life without the traffic, and spend more time with his wife, their golden retriever, and their grandchildren.

Throughout his career, George served as a Chief Financial Officer and trusted advisor to growing companies, helping organizations navigate change and build for the future. Today, he's bringing that same passion for leadership and strategic thinking to Journey's End Refugee Services.

George believes that welcoming newcomers isn't just the right thing to do. It's an investment in the future of Western New York. He's proud to support Journey's End and help ensure refugees and immigrants have the opportunities they need to thrive and strengthen our community.

Thank you, George, for sharing your time, talents, and heart with Journey's End. We're grateful to have you as part of our mission. 💙

08/04/2026

We're excited to highlight Deborah Pratt, a valued member of the Journey's End Refugee Services Board of Directors!

With more than 25 years of experience in leadership, career coaching, and organizational development across higher education, the private sector, and the federal government, Deborah brings a wealth of knowledge and perspective to her work.

As the Founder and Principal of O. Deborah Pratt Consulting and Coaching LLC, she helps organizations build talent strategies rooted in purpose and values.

Inspired by her own journey as an immigrant to the United States and her passion for supporting refugees and immigrants in Western New York, Deborah joined the Journey's End Board in 2024. We are grateful for her leadership and commitment to building a more welcoming community. 💙

Thank you, Deborah, for all you do! 👏