Building Relationships, Trust, and Power for Healthier Individuals, Organizations, and Communities.
The Challenge
Health happens holistically- where we live, work, go to school, play, and worship. Most organizations only address specific populations or issues, leading to disconnections on an individual, family, neighborhood, and systemic level. To address these divides, we need more than just services or policies—we need trusted advocates weaving together a strong and diverse network, helping everyone to have their needs met and be engaged and connected in community.
Our Solution
We cultivate Community Health Workers as leaders of and from the communities they serve, equipping them with knowledge, skills, and professional connections to turn lived experience into community power. From service navigation to family accompaniment to grassroots advocacy, we don’t just bridge systems—we transform them through relationships and collective action.
Our Network For Impact
CoNECT is a braided network where each person, initiative, and policy change fuels the success of the next—turning job training, youth empowerment, and collective healing into a unified force for change. By weaving these efforts together, we create the lasting power for communities in Buffalo and beyond to thrive.
How Our Plan Works
Our programs are not isolated efforts; they are a scaffolded strategy designed to build capacity and foster sustainable change in the lives of individuals and in the well-being of communities. By recruiting directly impacted individuals into a workforce and movement for health and wellness, we have built an intergenerational, multicultural network that works both top-down and bottom-up. This integrated approach ensures that we aren't just responding to an isolated crisis or need, but cultivating connections necessary for true community transformation.
Training and Workforce Development
Building knowledge, skills, and connections for people of and from the community
Crisis Response, Service Navigation, and Accompaniment
Meeting community where they need us when they need us.
Education & Youth
Empowering the next generation through leadership development and service learning.
Systems Change and Collective Impact
Programs, practices, and policy efforts meet to drive holistic community well-being.
Meet Rehma: A Youth CHW Story
"I enjoy how health and wellness has been our foundation, and there are so many avenues that students are supported in- professional development, being better people in community, along with mental and emotional health supports."
Rehma Kashindi, CHW
Rehma is the past student co-chair of the Buffalo Public Schools CHW Parent and Student Association, and served as a leader in various school and district efforts around expanding school food access and a "solutions not suspensions" campaign. She is a trained restorative practices facilitator, African dancer, cultural educator, fluent Swahili speaker, and nail technician. She is currently in her first year at Canisius University. Rehma embodies our mission, building power through relationships and interdependence.
Our 2025 Impact in Numbers
Training Participants
CHWs and others participated in our trainings and workshops
500+
Families Assisted
Received accompaniment and advocacy support
200+
Collaborative Events
Meetings and gatherings throughout the year
100+
Youth Development Hours
Positive youth development and service learning
2.5K+
Your support sustains our mission. Together, we build healthier communities through relationships, trust, and power.
Join the Movement
Make a Donation
Financial contributions sustain our training programs and community work.
Become a Partner
Collaborate with us on research, policy work, or community initiatives.
Volunteer Your Time
Join our network of CHWs, allies, and advocates providing on the ground and administrative support.