ERIE COUNTY, NY— Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz and Commissioner of Social Services Carol Dankert-Maurer today announced the 2014 grant recipients for “Year Round” youth program funding. 43 agencies across Erie County will receive some level of funding to be used for programs designed to promote positive youth development programs, with the amount of recipients’ grants ranging between $3,000 - $15,000.

“Year-round grants help local agencies provide valuable educational programming including school-based and after-school activities, as well as mentoring programs. By investing in our local youth with programs like these, we are helping communities provide education, life skills, and physical & emotional well-being to the next generation,” said Poloncarz. “These programs help kids stay on the right path in life by promoting civic engagement and learning about economic security. In many ways, year-round funding programs provide the building blocks to help youth succeed in life.”

The year-round funding grants continue the Poloncarz administration’s commitment to promoting youth development and providing the programs that will help them to be successful. In 2012, Poloncarz restored funding for Operation Prime Time, a summer youth program conducted through numerous local agencies and offering expanded opportunities to youth during the less-structured summer months. Participants in Operation Prime Time programs have access to a wide range of educational, community service, and recreational activities. 

In addition to its support of general youth programming, Erie County entered into a partnership in 2013 with Say Yes Buffalo and Catholic Charities to expand in-school supports and services for students in the Buffalo Public Schools. This is a first-of its-kind collaboration that is expected to help “at risk” students perform better academically and increase graduation rates.

Commissioner of Social Services Carol Dankert-Maurer said, “Youth across Erie County will be better-equipped to make good choices in life and grow into healthy, productive adults after participating in these programs. We are helping youth learn life skills and become more involved members of their communities.”

Agencies receiving Year-Round funding in 2014 include: Access of WNY, Inc. ($10,000), African Cultural Center of Buffalo, Inc. ($8,500), Be-A-Friend Program, Inc. (Big Brothers Big Sisters) ($7,500), Blossom Garden Friends School ($3,000), Boys & Girls Club of Buffalo, Inc. ($7,500), Boys & Girls Club of Eden, Inc. ($5,000), Boys & Girls Club of Northtowns of WNY, Inc. ($12,500), Boys & Girls Club of Orchard Park, Inc. ($5,000), Boys and Girls Club East Aurora, Inc. ($15,000), Buffalo Urban League, Inc. ($12,500), Canisius College ($5,000), Child & Adolescent Treatment Services, Inc. ($5,500), Child and Family Services of Erie County (Haven House) ($10,000), Compeer West, Inc. ($10,000), Computers for Children, Inc. ($7,500), Cradle Beach Camp, Inc. ($12,500), Daemen College ($10,000), Elim Community Corporation ($5,000), Erie Regional Housing Dev. Corp., (Belle Center) ($11,000), Girl Scouts of WNY, Inc. ($7,500), Greater Niagara Frontier Council, Inc. Boy Scouts of America ($5,000), H.E.A.R.T. Foundation ($8,000), Jericho Road Ministries, Inc. ($12,500), King Urban Life Center, Inc. ($6,000), Literacy Volunteers of Buffalo and Erie County, Inc. ($5,000), Massachusetts Community Center and Development Corp., Inc. ( DBA Westside Community Center) ($15,000), Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Inc. ($5,000), National Federation for Just Communities ($12,500), Northwest Buffalo Community Center, Inc. ($15,000), Peace of the City Ministries, Inc. ($12,500), Planned Parenthood of WNY, Inc. ($5,000), Polish Community Center of Buffalo, Inc. (Matt Urban Center) ($7,500), Schiller Park Community Services, Inc. ($10,000), Seneca Babcock Community Assoc., Inc. ($7,500), Seneca Street Community Development Corporation ($10,000), The Research Foundation of SUNY on behalf of University at Buffalo Liberty Partnerships Program ($5,000), TRE Associates, Inc. d/b/a Willie Hutch ($5,000), United Church Home, Inc. (Plymouth Crossroads) ($15,000), Urban Christian Ministries, Inc. ($5,000), Valley Community Assoc., Inc. ($15,000), Westside Ministries Inc., (On The Job Ministries) ($7,500), WNY United Against Drug & Alcohol Abuse, Inc. ($15,000), XCEL Leadership Center Inc. ($5,000).

Funding for Year-Round Youth Programs was included in the 2014 budget.

For more information:

On the Erie County Department of Social Services, visit   http://www2.erie.gov/socialservices/