Some students and parents at Helen Arnold Community Learning Center in Akron’s Sherbondy Hill neighborhood may be forced to find new after-school care following the closure of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio (BCGNEO) program at the school.
The nonprofit organization announced the closure of 22 programs across the region on Wednesday, citing reductions in federal funding.
The club at Helen Arnold CLC was the only closure in Akron, where two other programs remain open.
“We would love to be able to get that program up and going again,” said Allen Smith, the CEO of BCGNEO. “It would be predicated on dollars solely with [the] intent to fund that particular location.
“At this point, we don’t have those dollars.”
Smith said the gap was created by a reduction in funds the organization received through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which consists of federal money routed through the state.
Requests for information from Gov. Mike DeWine’s office were not answered by the time of publication.
Smith said it’s possible the club at Helen Arnold could reopen at some point, if they are able to find the money. The organization is reaching out to local businesses and also lobbying the state.
Youth Success Summit steps into the gap
The closure of the club at Helen Arnold is catching the eye of other organizations across the city, such as the Youth Success Summit. Rachel Tecca, the organization’s executive director, said she’s been tapping their extensive network of businesses and contacts to try to find some financial support for the club.
“We will be working closely with Principal [LaMonica] Davis at Helen Arnold to find out what her needs are to serve her families and her community,” Tecca said. “From there, the Youth Success Summit will look for solutions for that challenge.”
While the ideal scenario may be finding funds for the club, Tecca said they’re not opposed to helping another organization fill the after-school gap created by the club’s closure at Helen Arnold.
“We absolutely are supporters of the Boys and Girls Club. We would be happy to help them in any way possible,” Tecca said.
Previously, when the Northeast Ohio Boys and Girls Clubs organization realized it was facing a $3 million funding cliff, it tried to fundraise to close the gap. The efforts were successful, to a point. More than $700,000 was raised, which was enough to save some clubs, but not enough to overcome the loss of TANF funding.
“We’re still going to operate at a number of locations,” Smith said. “We want families to know we’re not going away.”
Closure means no clubs are operating in Akron schools
The organization will continue to operate two clubs in Akron: the Steve Wise Club in Firestone Park and the LeBron James Clubhouse in East Akron. Smith said there is currently no waiting list for these programs, and he encourages parents to apply.
Helen Arnold will still offer at least one after-school program, Akron After School, but the closure of the Boys and Girls Club means there are no clubs operating in Akron Public Schools.
“Our families at Helen Arnold CLC depend on Boys and Girls Clubs,” said Akron Public Schools Director of Communications Mark Williamson. “This will have a significant impact on them.”
Smith said he did not expect financial support from the school district, given the state of its finances.
In Summit County, the Boys and Girls Clubs are supported by corporate partnerships with Goodyear, GOJO Industries, Credit First National Association Bridgestone Financial, Huntington Akron Foundation and Kaulig Capital, according to the organization’s spokesperson.
“Funds raised or donated specifically for Summit County Clubs go towards serving Summit County youth,” BGCNEO Chief Development Officer Debbie Lewis said. “Unfortunately, we don’t raise enough funds to meet the needs of Summit County youth.”
Smith understands the closure of the program will be disruptive for parents and students less than a week before classes begin at Helen Arnold. Beyond the logistical complications for families, he recognized the impact the decision could have on kids who have built relationships with young adults at the Boys and Girls Club.
“That’s the most disheartening thing,” Smith said. “You have parents that now have to find other options with respect to out-of-school-time child care.”