Day care operations, one of the most visible and notable services that had been offered by the Seneca Babcock Community Association, ends at the end of business today (March 20).
For the parents of the more than 300 East Side and Lovejoy District neighborhood children, the closure is creating a wave of concerns, confusion and anger.
"How can anyone find a day care operation in six hours," said a visibly frustrated Erie County Legislator Lawrence Dupre.
Much of the association's footprint falls within Dupre's legislative district.
Dupre, working in tandem with his fellow legislator Frank Todaro and Lovejoy District Councilman Bryan Bollman and Deputy Mayor Maria Whyte, are pushing county and city agencies to offer some much needed help for the Seneca Babcock families.
"Who is there to fill that gap," Dupre said.
The association, which has five outlets, handles more than 1,200 city residents daily.
Services it offered include day care, free lunches for seniors, after school educational programs, athletic leagues and a food pantry.
The center, on March 6, announced it was closing because of financial issues and the IRS removing its 501 (c) (3) status because 990 forms had not been submitted for nine years.
Brian Pilarski, the association's executive director and a Cheektowaga councilman, resigned on March 5.
What baffles Dupre - and others - is that until March 6, the center was running all of its programs and there were not hints of any issues.
"One day everything is running and the next day, they are closing," Dupre said.
The paramount issue, Dupre said, is to find other venues and agencies to help the Seneca Babcock families. It is neither an easy or simple task.
"There is still a lot of work to do," Dupre said.
And, Dupre like Todaro and Bollman, want an investigation into what went wrong and how to prevent another scenario like Seneca Babcock is facing.