Jacobs Announces Funds for Computer Lab, Academic Programs at North Buffalo Community Center
October 11, 2017
(Buffalo, NY) – New York State Senator Chris Jacobs today announced the North Buffalo Community Center (NBCC) will receive a $50,000 state grant to significantly upgrade their computer center and expand upon their academic enrichment programs. The money was secured by Jacobs through the state budget process, and will be administered through the New York State Education Department.
“Access to technology is such a critical component of our educational process today,” said Jacobs. “The state of the art computer lab and classes enabled by this funding will create a more comprehensive learning environment for children in North Buffalo in need of additional academic assistance.”
Approximately 500 children and young people ranging in age from 3 to 21 years old participate in the educational and afterschool programs at NBCC. The Center’s comprehensive Academic Enrichment Program provides extra help in academics, assists with the completion of school projects, and provides mentoring to each student designed to aid in their long-term personal growth and maturity.
“We are very pleased to be able to provide these much needed programs and services at the North Buffalo Community Center and very grateful to Senator Jacobs for securing this grant,” said NBCC Executive Director Debbie Cielencki. “These funds will allow us to transform our outdated computer center into a state of the art computer lab with 20 computers and a wide range of classes and programs that will benefit an increased number of users.”
The North Buffalo Community Development Corporation was established in 1976 to develop human service programs that will improve the quality of life for all residents across the North Buffalo community. While the new computer lab will primarily serve school age children at the Center, the expansion will also allow NBCC to provide computer classes and programming for the approximately 700 adults and seniors that participate in programs there.
“On behalf of the North Buffalo Community Development Corporation’s Board of Directors, I would like to thank State Senator Chris Jacobs for his leadership and support of the community center and its programs,” said Board President Ron Deschenes. “Through his many visits and engaging with our staff, he identified an important need and then delivered the funding to address it. We appreciate his continued support of our mission.”
“As a founder of the BISON Scholarship Fund, former school board member, and a long time education advocate, I am pleased and proud to secure monies in the state budget process to support this project,” said Jacobs. “Investing in educational assistance programs that better prepare our young people to take advantage of the growing opportunities associated with our region’s economic resurgence will pay strong dividends in the long run,” the Senator concluded.