MAHONING COUNTY Hit by cuts, McGuffey Center seeks community support

The center will hold a series of fund-raisers.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- McGuffey Center has been a staple in the community for more than five decades, but community support is needed to make sure the facility can maintain its level of services.
The McGuffey Center, a part of Associated Neighborhood Centers, opened its doors in late 1940 to accommodate the social needs of residents living in the Sharon Line neighborhood on the city's East Side. In 1961, the current McGuffey Center building was built on Jacobs Road.
Now, cuts in funding are making it difficult for the center to maintain its same level of service. Jennifer Miller, executive director, said the center is facing a $50,000 shortfall this year and will need to raise about $100,000 to maintain its level of services.
Funding
The nonprofit center is funded through federal and state grants, The United Way, the Youngstown Foundation, Wean Foundation and the Arrel Trust. The Area Agency on Aging also contributes. Miller said funds from several of those sources are down compared to last year's levels.
"The United Way has been generous, but they were unable to fund us at the same capacity as last year and one of our trust funds, that has been a major source of revenue, was not able to fund us at the same level as last year," she said. "Money is tight."
The center, over the years, has increased its program offerings for residents -- offering programs for those age 5 to the elderly.
There are after-school programs, reading programs, summer day camp, educational classes, juvenile delinquency intervention and other programs for young people. Senior activities include aerobics, health screenings, field trips, Bible study and other activities.
Has served many
Over the years, thousands have filtered through the center's doors. The center served 1,500 to 2,000 in the city last year. Young people can be seen at the center daily working on computers, receiving tutoring and attending classes. There are also recreational activities that young people enjoy in the facility everyday.
To raise money and maintain current levels of service, Miller said, the center is holding a series of fund-raisers. The fund-raising effort will begin Sunday with a Mother's Day buffet dinner at 2:30 p.m. at the McGuffey Center building.
The center will have other fund-raising efforts this year, including a bowl-a-thon, a professional mixer and a festival and auction. The festival and auction will be in partnership with the Urban League and OCCHA.
Miller said the center is also hoping to increase its individual memberships. She said corporate memberships are also being offered for the first time this year.
jgoodwin@vindy.com