By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – Houghton College is expanding its educational reach beyond the southern tier with its new "Center for Urban Programs" in Buffalo.
The small, Wesleyan Church owned college has about 1,200 students. Every Saturday, for the past couple of years, about 50 of those students make the 120 mile round trip to Buffalo to volunteer with refugee families.
According to Houghton Education Professor Charles Massey, the inter-cultural service curriculum has grown steadily in popularity. That's why Massey says Houghton is opening a new offices and classrooms in the Buffalo Christian Center this fall. Massey said the program will build slowly.
In addition to the college's ministerial program, the center will house a couple of offices and classrooms for urban programs.
However, Massey said Houghton would like to expand beyond that. The college is looking for a location on the west side that could accommodate some residential housing for students enrolled or recently graduated from inter-cultural studies.
Massey said more and more of their students are seeking urban learning experiences.
Currently, Massey said students work with one of the four refugee resettlement organizations in Buffalo. They volunteer their time to help families from dozens of different countries adapt to a new culture.
Click the "listen" icon above to hear Joyce Kryszak's story now or use your podcasting software to download it to your computer or iPod.