BIDDEFORD — In September 2011, Bailey Senecal, then 12, was working on an art project at the Joyful Harvest Neighborhood Center, oblivious to the fact that the center was in trouble because it had raised less than a third of its operating budget.
In August, 8-year-old Meggie Boislard was making a wooden pig at Canopy Park under the watchful eyes of Joyful staff and volunteers during the center’s summer program. The program that had been saved when community members stepped forward with donations to enable it to continue.
In December, Daniel Pakataga, a third-grader, was using a binding machine to put together handmade calendars to raise funds so Joyful could continue to operate an art program.
For several years, Joyful Harvest, a faith-based organization that operates an after-school and summer program, has been facing a series of financial crises.
But now the program, located at 128 Main St., that provides a safe haven for some of Biddeford’s most at-risk youth, may no longer be able to do so. Unless significant and sustainable support is found, the program will be forced to close its doors for good on June 30.
“We effectively have no money come June 30,” said the center’s Executive Director Shay Stewart-Bouley, who sent out an email Thursday notifying the community of Joyful’s plight.
In the past, when funding to save programming was needed, community members came to the rescue.
But Stewart-Bouley said she and Joyful’s board members are tired of working in crisis mode.
The program’s budget, which is $5,500 per month, is funded through a combination of grants and donations. Neither of those sources is dependable, she said. Some months, said Stewart-Bouley, Joyful takes in less than $500 in gifts.
Unless a dependable funding source, or sources, is found, said Stewart-Bouley, the board has made the difficult decision that it will close the center.
Catherine Anglea, the chair of Joyful’s board of directors and a former executive director of the center, said it’s great when people give a one-time gift to save a specific program, but that’s not enough.
She said if 275 people committed to give $20 a month, the center could be saved.
Joyful, which was founded in 1999, began its focus on youth in 2002. Initially, it served the Bacon Street area. When it moved to its current location in January 2012, it expanded its area of service and the number of children it serves. Last year, nearly 600 young people came through Joyful’s doors to play games, get help with their homework, use computers, make art and more in a safe environment under adult supervision.
One of the most important items provided at Joyful Harvest is daily, afternoon snacks.
“For a lot of these kids,” said Anglea, “it’s the only food they get after school.”
“For 16 years, this agency has worked tirelessly to be a light in a blighted community,” Stewart-Bouley said in her email to the community. “We don’t want the doors to close forever. But as an operating body, we have concluded we cannot continue to serve the community unless the community itself fully supports our mission.”
“We need the community to step up and be behind us on this,” said Anglea. “If (Joyful) closes, a lot of these kids are going to be on the streets.”
Those interested in supporting Joyful Harvest Neighborhood Center or who want more information, can contact Stewart-Bouley at 286-9105 or joyful@gwi.net or visit the website joyfulharvestcenter.org.
The organization is hosting a “Spring Fling” fundraiser with music from the 1950s and 1960s on Saturday at the Ramada Saco. Tickets can be purchased online at joyfulharvest.bpt.me. Tickets are $15 each or $150 for a table of 12.
— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.
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