A youth program that has served as a cornerstone of the Troy community for over a decade is facing potential closure due to funding uncertainties.

ARK, Inc., which runs after-school and summer programs for at-risk youth, may shut its doors if it loses its primary source of funding from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

Executive Director Dorthea Penny Holmes said the center relies on the funding for 90% of its budget. 

"We're not going to exist. It's that simple," Holmes said.

The center, located in a food desert, provides meals and a safe haven for children in an area grappling with rising juvenile crime. Troy police data shows juvenile arrests tripled in March 2024 compared to the previous year.

Azaria Frazier, a former participant and now camp counselor, emphasized the center's importance. 

"I want to be there for them, just like the older kids were for me," Frazier said.

The state's Learning and Enrichment After-School Program Support (LEAPS) grant, which funds ARK and similar programs, is set to announce decisions by September. However, ARK officials fear that timeline may be too late.

"We don't have time. We need to know very quickly," Holmes added.

The Office of Children and Family Services declined to comment on the procurement process, citing state finance law.

As the center's future hangs in the balance, the community awaits a decision that could impact dozens of at-risk youth in Troy.