BUFFALO, N.Y. — It has been the warmest day of the week, but this week also gave us our first taste of snow and winter weather.
For many of us, it's all too familiar. But for other Western New Yorkers, it may be their first time heading into one of our winters.
The International Institute of Buffalo is working to prepare dozens of newcomers to their first winter. They are helping them make sure they have the heavy coats, hats, and information they need in their own language.
Last year the institute had their winter preparedness flyers translated into 10 languages; now they are up to 13. They are going beyond just basic Spanish and French, as the Western New York population continues to diversify. They want to make sure they are reaching everyone.
Since May to the beginning of October, the agency has resettled about over 200 people, and of that, about 100 of them are kids. They also work with parents to let them know how weather in Western New York can get and making sure their kids are well dressed, such as wearing boots at the bus stop instead of sneakers.
Jennifer Rizzo-Choi is the executive director at the International Institute of Buffalo. She said some of the people who died during the December blizzard didn't speak English.
She can't help but think if the turnout could've been different, if non-English speakers would've gotten the information that they needed earlier and in their own language to stay safe.
"The communication forms that we all rely on in community like TV, like Channel 2, and the radio, not all community members access that because it's not in their language. So, finding ways to think about who is new here and how can we make sure we tell them. And is that the school, the doctors office, is that the city website. However, that can happen making sure it is communicated out, so people have that advance preparedness," Rizzo-Choi said.
Right now, the institute is in need of coats and winter clothes for these newcomers. Usually they have coats hey carry on from last year, but this year, they are low in stock.
If you are able to donate gently used coats or interested in hosting a coat drive, you are encouraged to reach out to the International Institute of Buffalo. All coats are given to their clients for free.
The International Institute of Buffalo is located on Delaware Avenue in Buffalo.