Through "The High Road Runs Through the City," an ILR School service-learning fellowship program, 10 ILR students are working with the government, businesses, labor advocates and nonprofit groups for a summer of service learning and action research.

The groups are part of the Partnership for the Public Good, a civic group of more than 75 organizations promoting equitable and sustainable economic development in the Buffalo, N.Y., metropolitan area.

Once a major automobile and steel production center, Buffalo suffers from classic Rust Belt challenges, said Lou Jean Fleron, who directs the program. But, she added, it also boasts an array of grassroots and community groups doing innovative work -- "whether developing green affordable housing, starting a cooperatively owned garden store in an impoverished neighborhood or helping refugees from political persecution in Burma start new lives.

"High Road summer fellows bring creative enthusiasm to grassroots organizations that are transforming urban life in Buffalo," Fleron said. "These ILR students not only learn about economic development, they roll up their sleeves and contribute directly to a better economy in western New York."

Summer fellows include ILR School sophomores, juniors, seniors and a graduate student. During June and July, each student works 35-hour weeks Monday through Thursday with a partner organization. On Fridays, they meet as a group in the Buffalo ILR offices for forums with guest experts on local economic development issues and walking tours of Buffalo neighborhoods.

High Road partners and student fellows are: Clean Air Coalition of Western New York, Julia Burgdorf; Coalition for Economic Justice, Thomas Barnes; Hispanics United of Buffalo, J.C. Tretter; International Institute of Buffalo, Annie Finn and Kwan Park; Partnership for the Public Good, Elaina Mulé and Zach Smith; People United for Sustainable Housing, Sam Bordia; Urban Roots Community Garden Center, Aaron Klein; and Western New York Apollo Alliance, Mike Dolce.

Mary Catt is the ILR School's staff writer.