ABOUT US

In Buffalo and Erie County, too many of our neighbors, especially Black, Brown, immigrant, youth, poor, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ community members, are targeted by systems that criminalize, isolate, and dehumanize. From mass incarceration and institutionalization to underfunded services and systemic disenfranchisement, our communities face barriers that strip away agency and dignity. These injustices are not new, but they are intensifying, and they demand a powerful, unified response.
 

VOICE Buffalo exists to build that response. For over 30 years, we’ve stood shoulder-to-shoulder with impacted people to disrupt cycles of harm, build people power, and reimagine systems rooted in justice, equity, and belonging. At a moment when democracy, safety, and opportunity feel out of reach for many, we are rebuilding, with clarity, urgency, and a commitment to community-led change.
 

The Beloved Community we envision and are fighting for eliminates inequities in our social structures, public services, and government institutions. Our collective vision is of a justice system that operates without bias, is restorative, culturally sensitive, responsive to the needs of the community, and addresses the root causes of crimes instead of perpetuating the punishment bureaucracy and caging of our siblings. We envision a workforce that reflects the diverse population of Erie County, where economic opportunities are available to all. We envision accessible public services that meet the needs of the people who rely on them, and a society where no one has to fear losing their agency and independence. In the pursuit of justice, we seek out and eliminate bias in ourselves and in our surroundings. In the name of equity, we strive to ensure that everyone has what they need to be successful. We seek inclusion, by which we do everything we can to ensure that everyone is represented at the table.

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View 2024 VOICE Buffalo Bylaws.