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Campbell Street Center In Danger of Closing

Campbell Street Center In Danger of Closing - Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at 6:15PM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Tuesday, Oct 6, 2009 @ 06:15pm EDT
Williamsport, Lycoming County-

As we’ve been reporting, the state budget mess is causing a lot of problems. In Williamsport, a popular community center that helps at-risk youth may now have to close its doors for good.

Every year, thousands of people turn to the Campbell Street Center for help. And they provide it- from after school and counseling programs, to computer labs, meeting rooms, fitness facilities, and more.

Sherrell Johnson spent plenty of time here as a child.

Johnson said, "It means a lot. It kept me and my friends off the streets so we wouldn't get into trouble."

Now Sherrell helps teach The Center's principles to others.

But that help could soon be gone, thanks in part to sub-contracting deals affected by the long-delayed state budget.

Executive Director Melodie Russell explained, "They didn't get the money. That meant we didn't get the money. And as a result of that, it's created almost a $95,000 budget gap for us."

And although The Center receives generous financial support from the United Way, they still found themselves having to scale back.

They laid off two out of their total of six employees this week.

Russell lamented, "The decision was difficult to let them go. But it was the difference between letting them go and everybody having to leave and we shut the building down."

So now The Center's leaders are appealing to the public for any help they can provide- whether it's a thousand dollars, a hundred, or even just one.

If The Center isn't able to raise enough money to cover costs, they could be forced to close the doors for good. That's a scenario that nobody around here wants to consider.

Johnson added, "People wouldn't know where to go, because a lot of people do come here."

Board President Kirk Felix pleaded, "If there are some people who have some deeper pockets out there and they're looking for a place to make a difference, The Center is the place to do it."

For more information, or to donate to the Campbell Street Center, visit .
 


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