When class is dismissed each day at Old West End Academy, Ward Barnett is happy to spend a little more time at school.

The fifth grader is among about 350 students at seven Toledo schools who participate in after-school programs run by Kids Unlimited, a Sylvania-based nonprofit organization.

But Wednesday, Ward and his classmates spent their last afternoon at school. They polished off one more bowl of ice cream, played a last game of foosball, and hugged their after-school helpers.

A decade after Kids Unlimited launched, agency officials will stop programs this week because of dwindling funds. Wednesday marked the last day at TPS elementary schools Old West End Academy, Ella P. Stewart Academy, Keyser, Navarre, and Whittier. Programs end Friday at Discovery Academy and at Central City Ministry of Toledo-Rosary Cathedral Catholic School.

PHOTO GALLERY: Last day for Kids Unlimited

The midyear decision to pull the programs saddened students, school officials, and the organization’s leaders and sent school staff and parents scurrying to find after-school options for children.

“I got to interact with so many people and learn a lot about being a man,” said Ward, 10. “I was sad, but I know it’s for a good reason.”

The agency struggled since spring to secure grants and funding to keep its after-school and summer programs going, said board member Minnie Singh. Board members decided last week there wasn’t enough money to proceed.

“Even today people are running around to figure out what we can do to revive it, to save it,” she said.

Kids Unlimited could restart the program and continue through the end of the school year if it received $250,000 to $300,000, she said.

The organization’s inability to win renewal of a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant — federal funds administered by the state’s education department — contributed to its demise, Mrs. Singh said. Those grants are considered very competitive, according to both school and state officials.

Money from the 21st Century fund was among $262,218 in state support received by the organization in fiscal year 2014, according to the Ohio Office of Budget and Management. Total state support to Kids Unlimited dropped to $170,932 in fiscal year 2015 and to $86,376 in fiscal year 2016.

The agency reported contributions and grants totaling $437,510 for the fiscal year ending in June of 2015, the most recent year for which it has filed a federal tax form. It spent $837,469 for salaries and other employee benefits that year — a cost that increased in recent years as the program expanded to more sites, Mrs. Singh said.

Kids Unlimited has about 100 volunteer tutors and employs about 35 people, most of whom work part-time. Executive director, Kyle Grefe, who started in that position about a month ago, referred comment to the board as did her predecessor, Brenda Rafac.

Mrs. Singh said Ms. Rafac left the organization in August because the board “felt that we needed to go in a different direction.”

School officials said they will miss hosting the program and are searching for other options.

Jim Gault, TPS’ chief academic officer, said Kids Unlimited was upfront about its financial troubles, although the closure puts the district and parents in a “tough spot.” It is just one of several after-school programs that partner with TPS, and the district is talking to other providers about how to fill the void, he said.

Kids Unlimited brought in guest speakers, served daily hot meals, and provided character education and academic support during its time at Discovery Academy, said the charter school’s leader, Noah Campbell.

Discovery students paid $5 per week to participate in the program, he said. It was free to TPS students because the district had agreed to provide $50,000 in Title I money for the program, Mrs. Singh said. Kids Unlimited plans to bill TPS for only one month of completed services under that agreement, she said.

Mr. Campbell said he was surprised when Kids Unlimited told him it would cease.

“As of right now there’s not anything comparable,” he said.

On the final day at Old West End Academy, Kids Unlimited site director Melvin Thomas warmly spoke with students.

“There’s a need for this. There’s a need for this so bad,” he said, pausing to greet Tony Cole, a 14-year-old Scott High School freshman who said his grades improved during his one year with Kids Unlimited.

Tony still sometimes stops by his former elementary school during the program hours.

At a nearby table, a volunteer reviewed math homework with Teveon Smith, 10. The fourth grader said he’ll probably spend afternoons at home — studying and having a little fun. But, he said, he’ll miss the program.

“Hopefully, somebody’s going to start up Kids Unlimited again,” he said, as he finished a dish of ice cream. “Because Kids Unlimited is a great program.”

Contact Vanessa McCray at: vmccray@theblade.com or 419-724-6065, or on Twitter @vanmccray.

First Published November 3, 2016, 4:00 a.m.