Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Fundraising efforts are officially underway to bring in enough money to provide some substantial upgrades to the YMCA's William-Emslie Center along William Street in East Buffalo.
During the YMCA Buffalo-Niagara's community stakeholder's breakfast on Thursday, leaders announced the local organization's intention to invest $10 million to re-imagine the YMCA in East Buffalo.
"This building was built in the early 1980s, so we are excited that we're able to do something, re-invest in the community. There's been a lot of community discussion and re-investment about the East Side of Buffalo, we're happy to be part of that," said YMCA Buffalo-Niagara President and CEO, John Ehrbar on Thursday.
The $10 million project is the YMCA’s latest major investment in the City of Buffalo, adding to the upcoming $5 million project set to begin this upcoming spring at YMCA Camp Swan along Elmwood Avenue. Ehrbar says this project in East Buffalo will have different types of donors to help fund the project than those who have donated to the project in North Buffalo.
"This project is also eligible for New Market tax credits, so there's a lot more government opportunity for funding than we had in North Buffalo," Ehrbar noted. "And there are some other community entities we've met with, some business leaders in our original fundraising who said if we were to do something on the East Side of Buffalo, they'd be more likely to fund us than something on the North Side. So we're feeling confident going in that we'll be able to raise the funds."
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A re-imagined YMCA in East Buffalo will include improved senior, healthy living, and child care spaces, plus community-partner resources in one accessible location.
"We spent some time with our consultants for design, and they just asked us questions about what is missing," Ehrbar said. "This facility right now, our workout center, is a small closet, I would call it, in the basement, and so it will elevate that. The outside of the building will be more appealing to the community and look more modern, similar to our other facilities. We have re-imagined senior spaces, re-imagined spaces where we'll be working with other entities to provide much-needed services to the community. And, in general, it'll just be a facelift for a building that's been around for 40-some years. We want to make sure this is around for, at least, 40 more."
Providing solutions to the needs in the East Buffalo and Western New York community is at the core of the YMCA’s purpose. This includes free resources for the people, especially at the William-Emslie Center.
"We look to expand our partnership with M&T Bank for more financial education, whether it's about helping people figure out a mortgage, get kids ready for college or figure out retirement plans. That's a big piece of it. We plan to work more with organizations like FeedMore WNY to provide more food programs for our seniors and for our kids. We're working with Child and Family Services to provide mental health services at no cost to people, even if it's just to relieve stress. No stigma around having a mental health disease, but just helping people get through daily life," Ehrbar said. "So we're continuing to develop partnerships with people, and really trying to create that idea of it's a community resource hub. Today, was just about inviting people to join us in this journey."
The YMCA has been working to address the needs of East Buffalo residents since 1928. Over the last four decades, the William-Emslie YMCA has served as a haven of hope and motivation for all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
However, the quality of life within this community continues to be unduly affected by significant challenges:
- 78% of households are economically disadvantaged;
- Nearly 40% of all Buffalo children live in poverty;
- 53% of residents are considered obese;
- 68% of children in East Buffalo do not have access to structured activities;
- 45% of households in East Buffalo experience food insecurity;
- Drowning is the leading cause of death for children 1 to 4 years old.
Ehrbar says this project in East Buffalo is one where the timeline for the start of renovation and completion is dependent on the timing of funding.
