BUFFALO, N.Y. — 2020 was busier than ever for anti-violence groups in Buffalo as they continued working to curb crime and keep the peace in the Queen City amid a pandemic. 

In January, the Buffalo Peacemakers, SNUG, and Stop the Violence Coalition had their own encounter with crime when their satellite home on Killhoffer Street became the center of an arson investigation.

What You Need To Know

  • In January, the satellite home of anti-violence groups became the center of an arson investigation

  • Groups saw an unusual spike in crime with 63 homicides in Buffalo 

  • Peacemakers helped to distribute masks, census, and register new voters

"We're gonna become stronger because of this," said Founder of Buffalo F.A.T.H.E.R.S., Lenny Lane. 

The setback was a set up for something greater to come. An outpouring of community support followed including a financial boost to start the rebuilding process.

"We're looking forward to that house being rebuilt and better," said Murray Holman of the Stop the Violence Coalition. 

During the month of March, another challenge presented itself as coronavirus cases began to surge within Erie County. 

"We were major players in the distribution of food to communities that were isolated, especially with the school lunches program," said Buffalo Peacemaker Pastor James Giles. "We were significant in helping Buffalo public schools distrubute lunches to 3,000 students that were not coming by to pick them up. We also helped communities that were suffering from COVID-19." 

At least 50 members helped hand out masks and information about Coronavirus within the hardest hit communities in Buffalo. They also hosted several other events throughout the area.

"The consolidation and solidarity of all our groups to make sure our community needs were met... I think that was a significant thing we did this year," added Giles. 

The anti-violence groups also showed up for the community during an election and census year. They began registering new voters through weekly voter registration drives and encouraged everyone to fill out the census and be included in the final count. 

By summertime, Buffalo gun violence posed an increasing threat. To date, there were 63 homicides. 

"We had more innocent people shot this year than the years before put together," said Pastor Giles. 

Giles said isolation and months of quarantine contributed to a rash of shootings. Groups like the Peacemakers, SNUG, and Buffalo F.A.T.H.E.R.S. came together to tackle the issue head on.

F.A.T.H.E.R.S. stands for Fathers Armed Together to Help Education, Restore, and Save Lives, and in 2020 they celebrated 20 years of service.

"Love thy neighbor regardless of how far they stay," said F.A.T.H.E.R.S. founder, Lenny Lane. 

In October, the group helped a mother of six secure transportation for her family. 

Lashelle Roberson had taken custody of three of the children following the sudden death of a close friend. 

The acts of kindness continued throughout the month of December with a tree giveaway and toy giveaway for families of homicide victims. 

In a year with so much bad, the anti-violence groups in Buffalo were the foot soldiers combatting violence and aiding communities in need at the peak of the pandemic.