Governor Kathy Hochul’s recent decision to invest $100 million in after-school programs 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 to spread across 27 locations.
Boys & Girls Clubs in Greece Arcadia and Northern Chautauqua County are among the lucky ones to receive this boost, and it 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 options for younger kids.
While older students 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 serve more students and families after school hours and provide kids with positive activities to enjoy.
But finally, after a few applications, they got the grant and made this dream a reality.
Now, this new program allows sixth graders to stay after school 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 with staff.
The aim is to keep kids safe, engaged, and happy.
Plus, with support from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Rochester, the school can hire teaching 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 essential 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 the 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.
The LEAPS grant provides $350,000 yearly for five years—the largest grant the Club has ever received.
Executive Director Jeannie Gallaway is thrilled about what this funding means for the Club.
It covers all of their yearly operating costs and allows her to train and hire more staff to provide quality care for the children.
They’ve even 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 from trusted adults.
Looking ahead, Gallaway has big plans to expand its programming, especially for teens.
In the past, the Club mainly served younger kids, but now 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, supportive space where they can learn, grow, and make friends.
In Greece Arcadia, the program is designed to keep younger students busy and engaged after school, which fills a gap for kids who don’t have after-school sports or other activities.
In Northern Chautauqua County, the LEAPS grant gives the Boys & Girls Club a strong foundation to keep growing.
And right 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 supportive 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 peace 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 with 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 partnerships, combined with the state’s support, make sure the Club can continue providing quality care and programs for the kids who need them most.
With a strong push from state grants and continued local support, after-school programs across New York are expanding to serve more kids and provide lasting, positive impacts on their lives.
The Boys & Girls Clubs in Greece Arcadia and Northern Chautauqua County demonstrate how dedicated people and new funding can come together.
As a result, real differences are being made for kids, families, and the community.
