Governor Kathy Hochul’s recent decision to invest $100 million in after-school pr💮ograms across New York is helping make after-school care more affordable—or even free—for families who need it.
Western NY is getting $9 million of that money t💯o spread across 27 locations.
Boys & Girls Clubs in Greece Arcadia and Northern Chautauqua County are among the lucky ones to receive this boost, and ൩it will allow them to offer new programs and expand their support for kids in the area.
- Governor Kathy Hochul’s $100 million grant program, led by New York State, is improving after-school programs across the state, with $9 million going to Western NY.
- Greece Arcadia Middle School and the Boys & Girls Club of Rochester are creating new after-school programs full of fun activities for kids who need safe places to go.
- The Boys & Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County has secured a five-year grant of $350,000 per year, which will give it the resources to serve more children and teens in the area.
Greece Arcadia’s New After-School Program
Greece Arcadia Middle School’s Principal, Brian Lumb, noticed a big gap in after-school ꧑options for younger kids.
While older st꧒udents often had sports or other activities after school, younger kids didn’t have as much available to them🤡.
For years, Lumb wanted to turn Greece Arcadia into a ‘community school.’
He aimed to sꦏerve more students and fa༒milies after school hours and provide kids with positive activities to enjoy.
But finally, af✅ter a few applications, they got the grant and made thi🍃s dream a reality.
Now, this new program allows sixth graders to stay after sc൲h♎ool until 6 p.m.
Kids can participate up to five days a week through this opportunity, enjoying activities that include games, social-emotional learning, meals, and good times wꦡith staff.
The aim is to keep kids safe, engaged, and happy.
Plus, with support from the Boys & Girls Cl🥃ubs of Rochester, the school can hire teach𒐪ing assistants and other staff to make sure there’s always plenty of supervision and support.
And it doesn’t stop when school lets out for summer—this program will continue into the warmer months,🉐 giving families a low-cost option for keeping kids active and busy during the♉ break.
Northern Chautauqua County: A Story of Community and Resilience
The Boys & Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County has been an ess⛎ential part of the community for years, but it wasn’t always easy to keep it going.
A few years back, the Club was close to shutting down, ꧃but with a lot of community support, they managed to keep it open.
Now, with th☂e help of the LEAPS (Learning and Enrichment Afterschool Program Supports) grant, the ⛎Club has solid, long-term funding that lets it plan for the future.
𓆏The LEAPS grant provides $350,000 yearly ওfor five years—the largest grant the Club has ever received.
Executive Director Jeannie Gallaway 🌞is thrilled about wha♔t this funding means for the Club.
It covers all of their yearly operating costs and allows her to train and hire more staff to p༒rovide quality care for the 🍷children.
They’ve ev𝓡en been able to make one of their Site Director positions full-time and add a full-time School-age Childcare Coordinator.
This means kids get better attention and guidance fromꦅ trusted adults.
Looking ahead, Gallaway has big plans 𝓡🐠to expand its programming, especially for teens.
In the past, the Club mainly served younger kids, but n🅷ow they’ll be able to add more activities for older kids, focusing on mental health, emotional support, and academic help.
A Bright Future for After-School Programs
Amazingly, these new after-school programs give kids a safe, suppo⭕rtive space where ꧋they can learn, grow, and make friends.
In Greece Arcadia, the program is designed to keep younger students busy and enga🧔ged after school, which fills a gap for kids who don’t have after-school sports o🦩r other activities.
In Norꦡthern Chautauqua County, the LEAPS grꦓant gives the Boys & Girls Club a strong foundation to keep growing.
And rig🌳ht now, the Club is 🍷busier than ever, with 96 kids attending daily and a waiting list for after-school care.
Thanks to this funding, more kids will have the chance to be part of this supportiveꦿ community.
The new grant also means that the Club is no longer fully dependent on fundraising and other temporary funds, which gives them stability and pe⛦ace of mind for the years ahead.
Community Partnerships Strengthen the Programs
The Boys & Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County has been working with local organizations like United Way, Chautauqua Works, and Erie ✨2 BOCES, which help the Club by sending volunteers and resources.
They also get support from SUNY Fredonia students, who work wit♊h the kids and gain experience in child care and education.
One local Tim Hortons also participated in🎃 its🐈 Smile Cookie campaign, which raised funds to help the Club continue operating.
These community partn𓄧erships, combined with the state’s support, make sure the Club can continue providing quality care and p🦋rograms for the kids who need them most.
With a strong push from state grants and continued local support, after🐲-school programs across New York ar☂e expanding to serve more kids and provide lasting, positive impacts on their lives.
The Boys & Girls Clubs in Greece Arcadia and Northern Chautauqua Cou♑nty demonstrate how dedicated people and new funding can come together.
As a result, real differences are♓ being made for kids,💙 families, and the community.
