COLUMBUS, Ohio-The Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio will reduce its after-school programs from 49 to 27 this year due to a $2.5 million funding cut. Despite raising nearly $700,000, the loss of state and federal pandemic-relief funds, including $7.5 million in Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) funds from the Ohio Legislature, has led to the reduction. The funding cut impacts about 12,000 students who previously benefited from these programs, which provided homework help, recreational activities, and meals. The reduction is particularly felt in Cuyahoga and Lorain counties, where many club locations will not reopen. The organization is hopeful that future state budgets will restore some support.
