If you know of an Empowering Neighbor, please send a brief description and their contact info to callahan.megan-at-gmail.com orseamus-at-thegoodneighborhood.com.
By Megan Callahan
Mandy Hippert is the first “nominee” I’ve had for Empowering Neighbors. Each week it’s exciting to meet another one of Buffalo’s wonderful neighbors – Mandy started practicing yoga in her native Costa Rica before moving to Buffalo three years ago to live with her father and go to school for fashion and art at Buffalo State. She is an Evolation Yoga instructor, mentored by Mark Drost and Zefea Sampson of Evolation, one of the largest growing yoga centers in Buffalo and currently working on building a non-profit organization. They supported Mandy in her dream of offering yoga in Buffalo’s impoverished and racially segregated East Side, donating mats for her to use at the free classes.