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Our History

Over 125 years of serving the community.

Founded from the Settlement House Movement in the 1890’s, the Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers Inc. (BFNC) has a long history of providing a helping hand to Buffalo area individuals and families. View "Our History is American History" postcard here.

1891 – Settlement House Roots

BFNC was founded by the 1981 merger of two of Buffalo’s oldest settlement houses, Westminster Community House and Neighborhood House Association, founded in 1893 and 1894 respectively.

The settlement houses were formed to address problems of modernizing America – urbanization, immigration, and industrialization.

Buffalo had doubled in size in less than two decades. During the Panic of 1893, the Charity Organization of Buffalo called a meeting of local churches to discuss ways and means of providing for the needs. The Charity Organization Society's Church Districting Plan divided the city into districts – each church gaining oversite of the families in one or more districts.
Buffalo had doubled in size in less than two decades. During the Panic of 1893, the Charity Organization of Buffalo called a meeting of local churches to discuss ways and means of providing for the needs. The Charity Organization Society's Church Districting Plan divided the city into districts – each church gaining oversite of the families in one or more districts.

1894 – The Founding of Westminster Community House

At this time, Dr. Samuel Van Vranken Holmes of Westminster Presbyterian Church accepted responsibility for the neighborhood surrounding the current Westminster House. On September 17, 1894, Westminster House at 421 Monroe Street officially opened its doors to the community with Miss Emily S. Holmes as head worker.

Activities included a free Kindergarten, a sewing school, boys and girls clubs, and many more. It later added a gymnasium, billiard room, and reading room with library. in 1910, a new clubhouse was built on the original site and still stands today as the Westminster Community House.
Activities included a free Kindergarten, a sewing school, boys and girls clubs, and many more. It later added a gymnasium, billiard room, and reading room with library. in 1910, a new clubhouse was built on the original site and still stands today as the Westminster Community House.

1894 – Neighborhood House Association: The Early Years

The work of the NHA was begun in 1894 by Miss Elizabeth Williams, as a worker for the daycare center, and opened a reading room on Goodell St. for area children.

She asked the congregation of her church, Unitarian Church of Our Father, to assist her and several began to help financially and as teachers.

In 1894 a larger flat on Hickory St. was rented. In a short time, the flat was furnished and kitchen, garden, sewing, reading, and educational classes were formed. after four years on Hickory St. a large house on Locust St. (#92) was opened in 1898. The Neighborhood house further changed locations and its current location of 76 Orange St. in 1954.

News Articles about the NHA:

Social Worker Says East Side Recalls Woes of Neighborhoods 100 Years Ago

Settlement House Marks a Century of Charity
In 1894 a larger flat on Hickory St. was rented. In a short time, the flat was furnished and kitchen, garden, sewing, reading, and educational classes were formed. after four years on Hickory St. a large house on Locust St. (#92) was opened in 1898. The Neighborhood house further changed locations and its current location of 76 Orange St. in 1954.

News Articles about the NHA:

Social Worker Says East Side Recalls Woes of Neighborhoods 100 Years Ago

Settlement House Marks a Century of Charity

1912-1940 – Adapting to Change

The service focus of both Westminster Community House and Neighborhood House Association modified to keep pace with the changing social conditions and problems facing the community. Over the years, the City of Buffalo and some businesses took over certain roles previously occupied by the settlements. in 1912, kindergarten became part of the public school system;

By 1917, social service agencies took over the supervision of the poor of the city and settlement Relief Departments were closed; and in 1922, Westminster Penny Provident Bank was discontinued. The settlements, however, continued many of their traditional programs, became more involved in Boy Scouts and Camp Fire Girl organizations while developing new programs to respond to emerging needs.
By 1917, social service agencies took over the supervision of the poor of the city and settlement Relief Departments were closed; and in 1922, Westminster Penny Provident Bank was discontinued. The settlements, however, continued many of their traditional programs, became more involved in Boy Scouts and Camp Fire Girl organizations while developing new programs to respond to emerging needs.

1940’s-1970’s – Buffalo: A City in Transition

World War I decreased the flow of immigrants into the settlement neighborhoods and later quota legislation’s made the trickle permanent. Meanwhile, the war created job opportunities for African Americans in cities, generating the first significant black migration northward.

Following WWII, many inner-city neighborhoods experienced a major change in population.

In Buffalo, east side neighborhoods were in state of transition. As more African Americans found their home in Buffalo's east side, Westminster Community House and Neighborhood House Association began to accept the desire and need to empower the "new" neighbors through changed leadership, staffing, and programming. The social change function of settlement houses was once again being emphasized.
In Buffalo, east side neighborhoods were in state of transition. As more African Americans found their home in Buffalo's east side, Westminster Community House and Neighborhood House Association began to accept the desire and need to empower the "new" neighbors through changed leadership, staffing, and programming. The social change function of settlement houses was once again being emphasized.

1981 and Beyond – The Creation of BFNC

In 1981, the Westminster Community House and Heighborhood House Association merged to form the Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers (BFNC). BFNC continues to provide a wide range of services and programs, from after-school and summer daycare to senior care and care for persons with mental and developmental disabilities.

We remain ever mindful of our mission to "work with people to prepare, equip, and empower them to realize their full potential."
We remain ever mindful of our mission to "work with people to prepare, equip, and empower them to realize their full potential."

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