Today, Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz was joined by Erie County Legislator Peter Savage (3rd district), Erie County Commissioner of Social Services Al Dirschberger and departmental personnel, and Northwest Buffalo Community Center Executive Director Larry Pernick at the Center to kick off summer with the announcement of $500,000 in Operation Prime Time grants to 65 local not-for-profit agencies. Grants for individual agencies range from $2,500 - $10,000 and help to provide for an adult-supervised environment for the ten-week school summer recess period.

“Once again this summer thousands of children across Erie County will be more engaged, educated and involved with their peers thanks to Operation Prime Time. This is an investment in the health and well-being of our children that lets kids be kids and gives parents peace of mind as they know their children are supervised and safe,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “I would like to thank the Legislature for their continued support of this vital program, and also our many partner agencies for opening their doors for extended hours and enhanced activities this summer.”

Commissioner of Social Services Al Dirschberger added, “Operation Prime Time provides an outlet for youthful creativity and good summer fun during the time when kids are out of school for summer recess. These programs help to keep children engaged in positive activities, socializing with peers in appropriate and safe settings and enjoying a wide variety of educational and recreational choices. With Operation Prime Time we are helping kids create good summer memories while they engage in fun activities with their friends.”

“I am proud to work with County Executive Poloncarz and my colleagues on the Legislature to provide this much-needed funding for youth programming at community centers throughout Erie County, and especially here at the Northwest Buffalo Community Center,” said Erie County Legislator Peter Savage (3rd District).

Primetime programs primarily serve youth in need, and offer positive development opportunities, access to safe places for summer programs, and a wide range of activities including arts, community service, recreation, and field trips that are offered by the various program participants. Programs also include educational components. While many of the recipient programs are located in the City of Buffalo, there are others in the City of Lackawanna, the Towns of Amherst, Tonawanda, Hamburg, Orchard Park, Eden, Holland, Aurora, and elsewhere.

Agencies receiving Operation Primetime funding in 2017 include: Access of WNY; Be-A-Friend Program (Big Brothers Big Sisters) of Erie County; Blossom Garden Friends School; Boy Scouts; Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo, Holland, East Aurora, Eden, Elma, Marilla & Wales, Orchard Park, and the Northtowns; Buffalo Urban League; Buffalo Center for Arts & Technology; Buffalo City Swim Racers; Child & Adolescent Treatment Services; Community Action Organization; Compeer of Greater Buffalo; Computers for Children; Cradle Beach Camp; CRUCIAL; Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County; Enlightenment Literary Arts Center; F-Bites Culinary; Girl Scouts of WNY; Jericho Road Community Health Center; Jewish Community Center; King Urban Life Center; Lackawanna Sports & Education; Lackawanna Youth Bureau; Love Alive Fellowship Full Gospel Baptist Church; Massachusetts Avenue Project; Matt Urban Center; Metro CDC Delavan-Grider Community Center; Mt. Olive Baptist Church; Native American Community Services; New Beginning Church of God; North Buffalo Community Center; Northwest Buffalo Community Center; Old First Ward Community Association; Parker Academy; Peace of the City Ministries; Plymouth Crossroads; Police Athletic League of Buffalo; Resource Council of WNY; Resurrection Village Ministry; Seneca Babcock Community Association; Seneca Street Community Development Corp.; Teens in Progress; Thankful Baptist Church; the Belle Center; the Research Foundation for SUNY Urban Studies; the Town of Hamburg; Town of Tonawanda Youth & Recreation; True CDC; Tru-Way Community Center; University District CDA; Urban Christian Ministries; Willie Hutch Jones Sports & Education; Valley Community Association; Village of Hamburg Recreation; West Side Community Services; Westminster Economic Development Initiative; YMCA Buffalo/Niagara; YMCA of WNY; and Young Audiences of WNY.

For more information:

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