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Building on Tradition, Securing the Future
Capital Campaign for New Academic Campus

Our Need

The Cantalician Center was founded in 1955 and currently served more that 300 Western New York children in two aging academic builcings. Our early childhood programs are delivered at 1350 Eggert Road and our School Age programs are offered one-mile away at 3233 Main Street both in downtown Buffalo. Although these facilties have served children well for nearly 60 years, several major obstacles exist that restrict our ability to provide services in a safe and effective manner. 

• Enrollment is currently at full capacity, leading to children being turned away;
• Significant duplication of staff is required to operate two facilities including two complete kitchen staffs, two nurses' offices, and double the necessary custodial and maintenance staff;
• Major handicapped-accessibility issues making neither site currently being ADA compliant, preventing full interaction with peers - including many students being unable to reach several areas of the building;
• All students at the Main campus exiting the building at least twice a day to go to the cafeteria or therapy areas posing significant health and safety risks, particular those with disabilities, in inclement weather;
• The Eggert Road site having no elevator to upper floors and only one ADA compliant exit for the entire building leading to significant travel time and lack of access for some children;
• Extremes of temperature in summer and winter, disruptive to student learning, particularly those with sensory issues.

About the Project

After several years of analysis and discussion by the Board of Directors and a number of community experts, the decision had been made that the organization relocate and consolidate two school facilities (Main Street and Eggert Road buildings) into a single academic campus. Rather than construct a new facility, the Cantalician Center board - believing in Smart Growth - prioritized finding an existing building to renovate that would be an asset to their community. Following the consolidation of two churches, the Cantalician Center purchased the former St. Barnabas Church and school at 2049 George Urban Boulevard to house all of the Cantalician Center's academic programs.

Not only will this project address all of the shortcomings but the consolidation will also provide an annual cost savings exceeding $300,000 annually resulting from a reduction in administrative costs and efficiencies.  These savings will be reinvested into additional programming including art, music, physical education, and performance and ensure long-term sustainability. Click here for a list of more features at the new campus.

The Campaign

The total project cost of the Western New York Cantalician Academic Campus, which will house the daycare, preschool, and school age programs of Cantalician is $15.96 million. To date, $14.3 million has been secured through a set of bonds issued through the Erie County IDA, sale of existing buildings, the Cantalician Foundation Board of Directors, and a number of other generous indviduals and foundations in the community.

We are now only $1.6 million away from completing the Early Childhood wing of the project scheduled to open in July of 2013.

The John R. Oishei Foundation Challenge

On July 19, 2012, the Trustees of the John R. Oishei Foundation issued an exceptional challenge grant in the amount of $750,000 toward the completion of the Western New York Cantalician Academic Campus.

This means that every dollar pledged will be doubled by the Foundation until our vision of providing unparalleled educational services to more than 300 children with developmental disabilities each year.

Click here for a printable pledge form, or call Jeffrey Bell, Director of Development at (716) 833-5353 for more information.