Imagine that the after school program you counted on for academic and social support was faced with a drastic budget shortfall of 70 percent.
This was the dire situation facing the South Queens Boys & Girls Club (SQBGC) in Richmond Hill – until a one-time infusion of $250,000 by JCPenney saved the day.
“This helps tremendously, it will be very helpful and is much appreciated,” said Carol Simon, the club’s executive director of administration, “however, we still need the city not to cut our budget.”
“I love the program,” said Dora Rua, whose son Dorian, 8, is a member of the SQBGC. “It’s wonderful. I don’t know what I would have done if the cuts went into effect.”
Simon told The Courier that, over the past few years, they have lost 70 percent of city funding, including their two largest contracts.
“We were really at the point of making severe cuts [to staff, programs and salaries],” said Simon.
But Glen Staron, of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, put Simon in touch with Jodi Gibson, president of the JCPenney Afterschool Fund. The company’s Queens Center Mall location is partnered with the SQBGC.
“In speaking with Carol, we learned about their budget shortfall,” said Gibson, who explained that the company focuses on after school programs. “We believe in her leadership, the program and the work they are doing. We knew we had the opportunity to help the kids in the community so she can keep doing what she does.”
On Thursday, April 8, at The Queens Courier’s 8th Annual Top Women in Business Networking Awards Dinner, Gibson and other JCPenney officials came out to support Simon – an honoree – and meet face to face.
“We were very happy to be there to support Carol and the good work she’s doing,” Gibson said.
Over the past 10 years, JCPenney has donated over $80 million to after school programs throughout the U.S. In fact, four times a year, the company runs an “After School Round-Up,” whereby customers are encouraged to “round up” their purchases and donate the change. The latest one at the Queens Center Mall locale raised $1,687.69 for the SQBGC.
The SQBGC, with a yearly operational budget of $1.2 million, was founded in 1957; they offer homework help, youth development, games, sports and athletics and more.
Since the past few years have been financially challenging, the SQBGC is still in need of help. To donate, call 718-441-6050.
