YouthTime

A Final Chapter Becomes a New Beginning

Even after a nonprofit closes its doors, its impact can live on. For more than 50 years, the Buffalo Christian Center, at 500 Pearl Street, was more than a building. Located near where Route 33 meets downtown, it served as a welcoming and safe haven for youth and a hub for recreation, including a pool, games and even a bowling alley.

Time and resources took a toll, however, and in 2014, the Buffalo Christian Center’s board made the difficult decision to sell the historic building to keep its mission moving forward in perpetuity. That sale led to the creation of YouthTime, a fund established to support economically disadvantaged youth in Buffalo through a Christian lens, with the necessary resources to navigate life’s challenges.

YouthTime’s board knew they wanted to use the proceeds from the sale to help young people and continue honoring the Buffalo Christian Center’s mission. They turned to the Community Foundation to establish a fund through which they could award grants to youth-serving, Christian nonprofit organizations in the city of Buffalo.

“The sale of the building allowed us to take our resources to support nonprofits so that we could still carry out our mission,” noted David Stabler, YouthTime board member.

The board appreciates the Community Foundation’s responsiveness and partnership in supporting organizations meaningful to them.

“Entrusting the principal of the fund to an established organization gives us confidence.” said fellow YouthTime board member Leroy Wiggins. “Working with the Community Foundation just made sense and really allows us to plant seeds of hope.”

Throughout YouthTime’s 10 years with the Community Foundation, it has expanded its reach with increased grantmaking and convening new partnerships among Christian nonprofits serving youth throughout Erie County.

David added, “The Community Foundation’s management allows our fund to grow far better than we could on our own, and it takes it off our plate. It’s been a very good partnership.”