About Lt. Col. Matt Urban
On November 11, 2000, the Polish Community Center of Buffalo was renamed in honor of Lt. Col. Matt Urban. Lt. Col. Urban was one of the most highly decorated soldiers in American History. He grew up at 1153 Broadway, just steps away from our offices at 1081 Broadway. In his youth he participated in the Polish Community Center’s social activities and the traditions of the Broadway Fillmore Polonia neighborhood. The Center is proud to bear the name of a true American Hero.
A plaque hangs in the Center’s hallway as a reminder of this remarkable American Soldier’s achievements. It reads:
Lt. Col. Matt Urban was born on August 25, 1919 in Buffalo of Polish immigrants and raised at 1153 Broadway and attended School #57. He entered the U.S. Army in 1941, serving as a Captain with the 2nd Battalion, 60th Regiment, 9th Infantry Division in France during World War II. He received 28 decorations, including the Silver Star (1 OLC), Bronze Star (2OLC) with “V” device, Purple Heart (6 OLC) and NYS Conspicuous Cross with 4 Silver and 1 Gold Clusters. In 1980, the U.S. Congress awarded Lt. Col. Urban the nation’s highest award for valor, the “Congressional Medal of Honor”. President Jimmy Carter described Lt. Col. Urban as the “Greatest Soldier in American History”. Lt. Col. Urban was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery in March 1995.
History of the Matt Urban Center
Originally built in 1905, the Dom Polski building at 1081 Broadway served as a center of community life in an area of Buffalo’s East Side which at that time was home to thousands of Polish immigrants. In 1976 The Polish Community Center of Buffalo was incorporated as a cultural and community service organization. In the last 40 years, the work of the Center has grown to encompass a wide range of human services. Under its new name, the organization has renewed its mission to serve the needs of the diverse surrounding community under a new corporate identity.
Today, our services include permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless veterans, victims of domestic violence, individuals with mental health and substance use disorders, case management support for seniors and justice-involved youth, weekend and summer programming for school-aged children, emergency rental assistance, a food pantry, a clothing closet, a housing rehabilitation program, a homeless street outreach team, property management, and more.