With the ripple effects from the sudden shutdown of the Seneca Babcock Community Association still running deep into several Buffalo neighborhoods, local leaders are putting a full court press on trying to locate venues and centers to house the shuttered programs.
And, it is neither an easy or simple task, says Lovejoy District Councilman Bryan Bollman.
"We are just trying our best to connect the dots," Bollman said. "This has been devastating to my district."
The association abruptly began its shutdown on March 13 amid allegations of financial issues and the failure to comply with IRS-mandated 990 forms for nine years, a move that resulted in losing its 501 (c) (3) status.
Seneca Babcock had more than 1,200 neighborhood clients and a 37-person staff spread among five East Side and Lovejoy District locations.
The center's executive director, Brian Pilarski, a Cheektowaga councilman resigned as part of the shut down.
"The people who need these services the most are the ones being hurt by all this," Bollman said. "It keeps me up at night."
Among the services the association provided included day care operations, free lunches for seniors, a food pantry, after-school educational programs, counseling and athletic leagues.
The day care operations are due to close on March 20.
"People are scrambling," Bollman said.
Bollman said both Erie County and Buffalo social service departments are working to find landing spots for the association's client base.
A number of local not-for-profits have also offered some assistance.
"Buffalo people always look out for their own," Bollman said.
Meanwhile, an investigation is just starting, something that was pushed for by Erie County Legislator Frank Todaro.
"We need to know what went wrong," Todaro said. "But, more importantly, we need to help people impacted by the shut down."