Jacobs Secures $30,000 for Elmwood Village Charter's Afterschool Program

(Buffalo, NY) – New York State Senator Chris Jacobs (60^th SD) announced today that he has secured $30,000 in state education funding to enable the Elmwood Village Charter School (EVCS) to partner with the Delaware Soccer Club on the creation of a new afterschool soccer program at the school’s Hertel Avenue location.     

“The Elmwood Village Charter School and the Delaware Soccer Club are two institutions that have really distinguished themselves in pursuit of their common missions of educating and developing children in our community,” said Senator Jacobs.  “Their partnership on this afterschool school soccer program is a natural one that will provide great benefits to each child who participates, and I am very pleased to be able to provide the funding to make the program a reality.”  

In their request for funding earlier this year, school officials envisioned a twelve-week program that would be open to children in kindergarten through eighth grade.  The twelve weeks would be broken into two six-week sessions, one in the fall and one in the spring. 

The monies obtained through Jacobs will provide for well qualified Delaware Soccer Club trainers and equipment for long-term use.  As school enrollment increases, EVCS hopes to make the relationship with Delaware Soccer a permanent part of their afterschool offerings.  In order to make the program as accessible as possible to families of all means, a portion of the funding will also support transportation of students from Elmwood Village’s Days Park building to the soccer field area in front of the Hertel Avenue location. 

“We understand the need for providing children in the City of Buffalo opportunities to develop beyond the school day, and that is why we are so pleased about the growing partnership between EVCS and Delaware Soccer Club, which supports our school’s mission in our whole-child approach to student learning,” said Kathy Jamil, Director of the EVCS Hertel Avenue location.  “This funding is an important key that will allow us to strengthen our athletic department by providing transportation to the Hertel campus soccer field and provide resources and equipment to expand our afterschool program to meet the needs of even more students.  More importantly, it provides a safe place for children in the City of Buffalo to build sportsmanship and skills that are elements of success for every child who participates.”

In addition to providing the trainers and programming, Delaware Soccer Club has also agreed to commit resources to the development of the fields in front of the EVCS Hertel location.  The school and the soccer club are developing long-term plans for the field including the installation of adequate lighting, netting and seating.

“We can’t thank Senator Jacobs and all the dedicated professionals at Elmwood Village Charter School enough for providing us this unique opportunity to bring our soccer program to children in an afterschool setting,” said Delaware Soccer Club President Ellen Shanahan Becker.  “At DSC it has been our mission for 40 years to help children develop their full potential and ignite a passion for the game and a positive confidence building experience which benefits them their whole lifetime.  Senator Jacobs’ funding allows us to give WNYs children more learning and playing time by overcoming some of our biggest barriers - quality field space in the City of Buffalo, and transportation.”