Future bright in east side neighborhood

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -  

The future: it's all about kids, hope and a promise.

"President John F. Kennedy said it well: 'Children are the world's most valuable resource and it's best hope for the future.'"

Mayor Byron Brown cited that famous quote as Buffalo's Promise Neighborhood at Amherst and Bailey took a leap forward Wednesday with a groundbreaking of a new 10,000-square foot Early Childhood Education Center with major contributions from M&T Bank and the Oishei Foundation.

According to Dr. Yvonne Minor-Regan, President of the Buffalo Promise Neighborhood, "I can't begin to tell you just what a positive impact the new Early Childhood Center is going to have not only at Westminster, but at all of our schools in the Buffalo Promise Neighborhood."

Buffalo's Promise Neighborhood, one of only 21 nationally, will serve as a model for future neighborhoods providing cradle-to-career solutions with educational programs and solid family and community support, while cutting through government red tape in order to make it happen.

"It's a very unique approach. It's innovative; it's comprehensive. It will benefit over 3,000 kids and their families from birth through college. It's transforming neighborhoods and transforming lives," said Representative Brian Higgins.

The Promise Neighborhood concept extends beyond the school walls. It's about supporting a neighborhood and its residents.

"You have people who get up go to work and who get involved and help each others children. That's how I grew up," added Crystal Austin, a parent from Buffalo's Promise Neighborhood.

It's not difficult to see that the future for this Buffalo neighborhood has become even brighter. It has brought excitement and invigorated the Amherst-Bailey community. And it's just the beginning.