Westminster Economic Development Initiative Inc

WEDI’s dual focus areas of Education and Economic Development work in tandem to tackle systemic inequities that affect Buffalo’s underserved residents, many of whom are people of color. By supporting youth to succeed in school and powering entrepreneurs to launch, sustain, and grow small businesses, WEDI is helping to create a more equitable Buffalo. 

What your dollars to WEDI do:

$50 can help WEDI

• Buy pads/tampons for 50 girls
• One night of bowling for 30 students
• A class set of chapter books

$100 can help WEDI

• Little Passports World Edition Classroom subscription for 30 students to assist with teaching students global geography
• Purchase 8 picture dictionaries for program

$250 can help WEDI

• A trip to Explore & More - The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children's Museum for 30 students,
• Update books for higher reading levels
• A field trip to Rainbow Rink for up to 30 students

$500 can help WEDI

• Buy a picture dictionary for each ENERGY and FLY student to take home
• Tickets for 30 students to the Theater of Youth
• A field trip to the Buffalo Museum of Science for 30 students
• Update books for every level

$1,000 can help WEDI

• Provide 2 bras for 50 girls who need them
• A field trip for 60 students to Darien Lake
• Buy lightly used business clothes for high school students to use during interviews and internships - a "business clothing library"

1,500 can help WEDI

• Provide 40 hours of focused technical assistance to business owners 

$2,500 can help WEDI

• Pay for 10 busses for field trips
• Take students on a camping trip at Allegany State Park
• Provide 10 workshops and classes on financial and technical topics for businesses

WEDI's program supports Multilingual Language Learners (MLLs) to achieve literacy through four programs: ENERGY elementary-aged students), FLY (middle schoolers), Launch (high schoolers), and Peer Support Groups.

WEDI's Economic Development program provides multi-faceted support to aspiring and early career entrepreneurs through two programs: Microloans and its business incubators- the West Side Bazaar and the Downtown Bazaar.

 WEDI's programs and services are available to underserved residents of Western New York including elementary and middle school-aged MLLs in the 14213 zip code (ENERGY and FLY) and students at Lafayette International Community High School (Launch). Our Economic Development programs are available to economically disadvantaged adults earning 80% or less of the AMI (Area Median Income).

WEDI was founded in 2006 by members of the Westminster Presbyterian Church to improve the quality of life for underserved residents of West Buffalo, which was increasingly populated by immigrants and refugees from Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The organization’s initial focus on supporting elementary-aged children to achieve literacy eventually expanded to include grades 1-11 with additional programming focused on soft skills/social-emotional intelligence, enrichment activities, STEM, financial literacy, college preparation, and workforce/career development. In 2012, WEDI added a second focus area, Economic Development, to support underserved entrepreneurs to launch and sustain small businesses. In doing so, WEDI expanded its geographical reach to Buffalo's East Side, which has a predominantly Black population. Today, WEDI runs six programs including the newly opened West Side Bazaar at 1432 Niagara Street and the Downtown Bazaar at 617 Main Street, small business incubator offering delicious food and unique products from a diverse group of cultures and ethnicities.

WEDI partners with other providers to ensure there is no duplication of services and actively integrates the viewpoints and expertise of all constituents.

• WEDI strengthens communities through a continuum of educational and financial resources, removing systemic barriers to economic equity for all Western New Yorkers. Our vision is that all residents of Western New York can succeed and thrive in a culturally inclusive community.