Submitted Photo Jeannie Gallaway, Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County, secured licensing to become eligible for substantial grant funding.

Years ago, the Boys and Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County was on the brink of closing. Instead, the community rallied together to keep the Club as a vital part of everyday life for local families.

Now, New York state has come through with help of its own.

The Boys and Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County received a substantial Learning and Enrichment Afterschool Program Supports (LEAPS) grant to support the Club more than ever before. The grant provides $350,000 each year for the next five years, which represents the largest grant ever received by the Club.

After securing an official license from New York State to operate as an afterschool childcare program, which is not a feat many childcare programs across the state can boast, the Club became eligible for many more significant grant funding opportunities from the State. Executive Director Jeannie Gallaway applied for licensing from the state earlier this year, and shortly after receiving the approval, the grant was secured.

The LEAPS grant is contingent upon maintaining licensing from the State. Gallaway welcomes the added responsibility of being held accountable on multiple levels, from the state, from the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and from the Dunkirk City School District, the owner of the Club’s current location.

Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced $100 million in grant funding to expand free and low cost afterschool programs across New York State. Approximately 13% of that funding will go to Boys and Girls Clubs across the state, including Dunkirk’s own in Northern Chautauqua County.

In total, 238 programs received funding from the state, including 27 from Western New York, totaling $8.45 million. The Western New York region had more recipients than any region in the state outside of New York City.

The funding received by the Boys and Girls Club will completely fund its operating costs each year. Last year, the entire operating budget of the Club was slightly under $300,000. With the extra funding, the Club was able to increase its Site Director position to full-time, along with a full-time School-age Childcare Coordinator.

“It allows me to have better staff training, better staff coverage, and better standards overall,” Gallaway said. “We’re able to provide a higher quality of care.”

Now that operating costs are covered by the grant funding, the hard work of the community through various local foundations and fundraising activities each year can go toward different opportunities for the Club. One focus Gallaway has is an increase in programming for teens in the community, as the Club was previously only able to serve children through Grade 6.

The grant funding also provides security for the Club in the sense that it is not solely reliant on other avenues of funding. The Club was awarded significantly less Community Development Block Grant funding this year, and fundraising is never a sure thing.

Jody Falkner of J.F. Grant Consulting Services played a major role in securing the grant funding. As a former Executive Director herself, Falkner was well aware of the needs of the Club and how to express to the State what a vital role the Club plays to the Dunkirk community.

“We wouldn’t have gotten this funding if it wasn’t for Jody’s dedication and diligence writing this grant,” Gallaway said. “She is a force. Her passion for helping the youth and families in this community is unmatched.”

That statement is fitting coming from Gallaway, a leadership herself at the Boys and Girls Club. Gallaway took over as Executive Director in March of 2022, and under her leadership, the Club has not only remained afloat, but it has thrived. The Club has strengthened relationships all throughout the community, including the United Way, Chautauqua Works, and the Erie 2 BOCES work experience program. Internship programs, student projects, and volunteers from SUNY Fredonia have also improved.

Average daily attendance at the Club has grown, so much so that there is now a waiting list for afterschool care. The Club now serves 96 children from the community, up from between 65-80 a year ago. But not only are the children of the Club physically not alone, they are treated through increased mental and emotional support and trauma informed care with youth.

The Club is not just present in the community as a place to go to, but Gallaway has a presence, in the building and outside of it. Her relationship with Gina Kron has established a partnership with the annual Smile Cookie campaign at local Tim Hortons, which received more support than ever before.

The Boys and Girls Club does so much to support the community, and the community does just as much to support the Club in return. Now the State will help foot the bill.