HISTORY OF THE VALLEY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

 
The Valley Neighborhood
 
The Valley is located in the southeastern portion of the City of Buffalo.  Its name is derived from the infrastructure that surrounded it until 1992.  Prior to that time, five bridges offered the only vehicular and pedestrian access to the neighborhood.  During 1990 and 1991 the bridge entering the Valley on Smith Street was razed and access was restored at grade level.  Heavy industry and railroad tracks dominate the surroundings to the south and southwest.

Internally, the Valley is mostly residential with a few small businesses and industrial plants.  It measures approximately one square mile.  The smallness of the area creates a cohesive mix of residents who are proud of their property and neighborhood.  Also included in the study is a four-block sub-neighborhood of the Valley on the northern border known as "Little Hollywood."
 
The Valley Community Association
 
During the 1960s:  
In October 1968 a group of concerned residents, both young and old, met on the vacant lot where the center now stands to discuss increased vandalism, gangs hanging on street corners, and ways to provide recreation for these youth.   Its original headquarters was located in a donated storefront at 917 South Park Avenue and was able to exist through the determination of volunteers, fund raising efforts, and small foundation grants.
 
In the Fall of 1968, at the same time the VCA saw its beginnings, a Teacher Corps Team from Buffalo State College was assigned to Buffalo Public School #33 and began to work in the community.  This group, headed by Helen Waite, was responsible for what is today known as the Neighborhood News from the Valley, the only community newsletter.  They also developed a preschool program known as "Sesame Street."
 
During the 1970s
Under the leadership of the late Fr. Hugh Carmichael, the association became incorporated in May 1969. 
 
In 1971, the lobbying efforts of the group were recognized by the completion of what is now known as the Fr. Carmichael Center.  The City of Buffalo mandated that the center be operated under the auspices of the Parks Department and staffed by civil service employees.  Although its initial mission for erecting a recreational center for area youth was complete, the Valley Community Association, which had grown to become a powerful voice, successfully sought government funding.  Erie County Youth Board money enabled the VCA to lease space for its new headquarters at 202 Elk Street, hire staff, and extend programming into Public School #33 and St. Stephen's School.  Under the supervision of its first executive director, David Sengbush, programs included primarily youth activities, such as arts and crafts, a teen center, athletics, and recreation.  
 
By 1977, the VCA was able to negotiate a land contract agreement to purchase its own building at 208 Elk Street.
 
Margaret Overdorf was hired in 1979 to succeed John Ort who served one year and Michael Overdorf who had served four years as executive director.
 
During the 1980s
Shrinking maintenance dollars in the City of Buffalo budget in the late 1970s had caused the Fr. Carmichael Center to fall into a state of disrepair.  It had become a haven for gangs and repeated incidents of violence.  In an effort to curtail the violence, the City of Buffalo Police Department assigned a police substation within the building.  VCA staff and volunteers worked to repair the wooden gym floor that resembled a roller coaster due to a neglected roof leak.  With permission from the City of Buffalo Parks Department, the VCA began to operate youth athletic leagues on a part time basis.  A crime comparison study was conducted of the five months the VCA operated part-time programs in the 1981-1982 program year with the same five months of the 1980-1981 program year and demonstrated a drastic decrease in youth related police calls.
 
With this data, and recognizing an existing duplication of services, Ms. Overdorf and the VCA approached Charlie Ruff from the United Way, and then District Councilman James Keane, for assistance to negotiate with the City of Buffalo for complete takeover of the Fr. Carmichael Center.  The United Way committed increased funding, the City of Buffalo promised to maintain the building, and the VCA agreed to take responsibility for programming, staffing, and supplies.  Although this takeover was approved in 1982, the VCA administrative offices remained at 208 Elk Street until an addition was built on the Fr. Carmichael Center in 1988.
 
In 1988, a $303,000 addition to the Fr. Carmichael Center was built and is known as the Valley Senior Citizen Center.  This area is used for various programs including senior citizen and youth after school activities.
 
During the 1990s
In 1997, the VCA built a 7000 square foot expansion onto the back of the Fr. Carmichael Center.  It is the home of "Puppy Dog Tales" - a state of the art, secure, quality day care center licensed by the State of New York.  It is the hope that the day care center will eventually generate revenue to replace many of the cuts the VCA is facing and still provide needed day care services to members of the community and the companies surrounding it.
 
During the 2000s to Present
In 2004, the VCA opened its second New York State licensed day care "Valley Child Care at LCo" in the LCo Building at 726 Exchange Street (formerly the Graphic Controls building).
 
Today, the major objective of the VCA remains the betterment of the neighborhood.  This means the reduction of crime and vandalism, the prevention and reduction of drug abuse, the prevention and reduction of neglect and abuse of children, the increase in employment, to raise the level of education completed, and to provide socialization for senior citizens.

UWBEC

Valley Community Association
93 Leddy Street
Buffalo, NY 14210
Phone: (716) 823-4707
Fax: (716) 823-4254