September 27, 2007

VIVE, Inc. Appoints Brian Brown-Cashdollar as New Executive Director

Buffalo, NY -- VIVE, Inc., a non-profit organization that serves world refugees, has named Brian Brown-Cashdollar executive director. 

"As a non-profit shelter that serves refugees from around the world, VIVE requires a combination of vision, administrative experience, resource management, and most of all, commitment to VIVE’s mission,” said Sr. Barbara Riter, Board President. 

“Brian possesses this combination of skills and experience. His range of administrative and leadership experience, track record of fundraising and grant writing, and involvement in advocacy will be highly valued.”

Located in Buffalo, NY, VIVE is an interfaith organization which serves refugees, defined under the Geneva Convention of 1948, as “people who have a well-founded fear of persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or social group.” VIVE assists world refugees seeking asylum both in the United States and in Canada. VIVE operates La Casa, a shelter with 108 beds. VIVE provides food, shelter, clothing, healthcare and legal services to refugees as they await their appointment to enter Canada or their U.S. asylum hearing.  In 2006, VIVE provided services to over 2500 individuals. Since its founding in 1984, VIVE has assisted over 60,000 refugees from over 106 countries.

“VIVE exemplifies the best of our culture and the best of the human spirit,” said Brown-Cashdollar. “Many of people served by VIVE were forced to seek refuge after standing up for freedom in their own country. The compassion, generosity, and dedication of the VIVE community have sustained VIVE for the last 23 years. I am proud to be a part of this important organization."

Brown-Cashdollar joins VIVE with over twenty years of experience working in non-profits as well as in the private sector.  Most recently Brown-Cashdollar was General Manager of Niagara Independent Media. Previously, he served as fiscal administrator of WNY Council on Occupational Safety and Health.  He has also held positions with Hispanics United of Buffalo, Aspire of Western New York, and Heritage Centers.

Brown-Cashdollar has an extensive record of community service.  From 1992-1994, he served in the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic as a community development volunteer.  He has also served as a volunteer at Cradle Beach Camp.  He received the Citizen Action of Western New York  “Agent of Change” award in 2007 and ArtVoice named him a “Local Hero” in 2004.  He also received the 2004 Peace Education Fund Award from the Western New York Peace Center.

Brown-Cashdollar holds a BA from Friends World College.  He lives in East Aurora with his wife and five children.   

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