Oswaldo Mestre was born in the heart of Spanish Harlem, NYC, and raised by his mother, Isabella. The eldest of four, he received his primary, secondary, and higher education all at public institutions. While at UB, Mestre’s concentration was Architecture and Public Policy & Administration. An advocate for the youth, Director Mestre is the founder of the Donald M. Dade Learning Through Service Initiative, in honor of his late mentor who was a World War II veteran and director of C.R.U.C.I.A.L. Human Services. Appointed by Mayor Byron W. Brown in 2006, Oswaldo was named Director of the Division of Citizen Services and tasked with developing what’s now known as the 3-1-1 Call & Resolution Center. Additionally, Director Mestre is responsible for the staff who coordinates a number of ancillary services to educate and coach residents of Buffalo such as Citizen’s Participation Academy, the Community Crime Prevention Initiative, the Anti-Graffiti & Clean City Program, and the Save our Streets Task Force. Recently, he was named Chief Service Officer for the City and currently sponsors Project M.O.V.E., incorporating 13 AmeriCorps V.I.S.T.A. members, making Buffalo City Hall one of 10 cities nation-wide utilizing such a program.
Director Mestre full bio