PUSH ORIGIN

PUSH is a nonprofit organization that was founded by activist Aaron Bartley and Eric Walker in 2005. Aaron Bartley is a native of Buffalo and grew up attending in the city's public schools. Aaron is known for organizing labor and student campaigns for economic justice. Aaron is a graduate of Harvard Law School and has been featured on multiple media platforms as an advocate for low-income people. Eric Walker is Director of Energy Development and Management in the Erie County Department of Public Works. Before joining Erie County, Eric served as the inaugural Racial Equity Fellow for the Center for Social Inclusion Energy Democracy project in which he used his advocacy and policy experience to help launch the NY Energy Democracy Alliance. 

PUSH MISSION

PUSH organizes and seeks to motivate residents of Buffalo’s West Side to have greater control through action oriented campaigns. PUSH mobilizes residents for direct engagement with irresponsible absentee landlords, government agencies and major corporations. PUSH mobilizies residents in order to create resilient neighborhoods with affordable housing. PUSH advocates for comprehensive reform of housing policy and redevelops West Side housing for occupancy by low-income Buffalonians through the PUSH Community Housing organization.

PUSH CAMPAIGNS

ENERGY DEMOCRACY CAMPAIGN

This campaign aims to build local democratic economies and create 10 million good, green and family-supporting jobs for workers who are unemployed, underemployed or formerly employed by extreme energy industries.

HIGH ROAD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

This campaign focuses on providing high quality jobs, environmental sustainability, and broad access to opportunities for a diversity of businesses and workers.

SCHOOL 77

PUSH and the West Side Buffalo community have now transformed a school into solar-powered affordable senior apartments and a community center.

TENANT ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN

This campaign targets unfair treatment or eviction of residents while also supporting the ability for tenants to have a voice within their apartments/ facilities.