Hilbert Reads Fall 2025: WNY Peace Organizations

The Peacemakers started after shots were fired due to a gang dispute at the Juneteenth Festival in 2008. Then Police Lt. Steve Nichols called Pastor Giles to help organize volunteers to help keep the 2009 event safe. Since then, we’ve been called to assist in creating a peaceful environment at many events — from high school basketball games, to Chippewa Street on Thanksgiving Eve, to highly charged public demonstrations. Now we help make about 100 events safer each year.

It is the policy of the Buffalo Police Department to respond to incidents involving individuals with mental or behavioral health concerns with professionalism, compassion, and concern for the safety of all involved.

The Western New York Peace Center has been working for peace through justice at home and abroad, since its founding in 1967 as a chapter of Rev. Dr. King’s Clergy and Laity Concerned. We are dedicated to enriching the quality of life of our local and global communities through the prevention of violence to people and the planet. Peaceful conflict resolution among people and within institutions, especially for youth, is central to our mission.

Most Valuable Parents (MVP) is an organized body of concerned Citizens (parents) and organizations who stand in unity to make our City a better and safer place to live. We are Concerned Citizens who stand in solidarity to address issues that effect our City and communities. Our Target Area is wherever our services is needed the most, starting with Buffalo’s East Side where crime and violence is most pervasive and where Programs, Intervention, Representation and Awareness is required.

As MVP, we have come together because we believe it is our duty and responsibility as parent’s to do our part to make our City a safe and prosperous place to live. We believe that it’s necessary to stand in solidarity to extinguish any negative stereotypes place on us as parents. We believe that our voices will be respected and heard by the Youth of our communities along with the political and non-political leadership if we speak with one united voice.