Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC – February 28, 2023 - Today, advocates from Boys & Girls Clubs across the nation arrived in Washington D.C. to attend Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Days of Advocacy, where top executives, volunteers and youth from hundreds of Boys & Girls Clubs will engage members of Congress around the issues facing of kids and teens in America. Leaders from Clubs, along with Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s President and CEO, Jim Clark, will meet with top officials, serving as a voice for the millions of kids who attend a Club around the country, on Native lands and on Boys & Girls Clubs of America-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide.

“Every day, Boys & Girls Clubs across the country are doing whatever it takes for our nation’s kids and teens by providing youth with a place to learn, grow and above all, just be a kid.” said Jim Clark, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “After the last few years of uncertainty, we come together to further our commitment by working with our elected officials at all levels of government to advocate for the urgent issues facing our youth. Our youth are our nation’s future leaders, problem solvers and innovators, it’s vital that we come together to address their needs now.
 
In its ninth year, Boys & Girls of America’s National Days of Advocacy empowers Club leaders to build awareness and garner support for programs that enable kids and teens to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Advocates will meet with their members of Congress in the Senate and House of Representatives and will get the opportunity to honor Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Champions of Youth award recipients at a Tuesday night reception. 2022 honorees include: Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT) and John Cornyn (R-TX) and Representatives Brian Mast (R-FL) and Mark Pocan (D-WI). 

Boys & Girls Clubs offer a fun, safe place where kids can go afterschool to grow beyond the classroom. Club programs from education, the arts, and sports to leadership and service, help young people prepare for college or career. We also know that investment in afterschool opportunities creates impact in local communities, especially for working families that rely on Boys & Girls Clubs as a means to be employed full-time. Boys & Girls Clubs drive measurable results for our nation’s youth:  

• For every young person in an afterschool program, 3 are waiting to get in. 
• Parent satisfaction of out-of-school time programs is at an all-time high of 94%.   
• 95% of Club teens 9-12 grade said they feel like they have the skills needed to be successful in a job while 57% said they have had work experience in the last 12 months.  
• Every $1 invested in a Boys & Girls Clubs returns $9.60 in current and future earnings and cost-savings to their communities.

Club leaders, volunteers and youth will get a chance to speak about the vital services their Clubs provide and the critical federal programs that enable them to have positive impact on our Nation’s young people as well as life and workforce readiness programs that give youth access to the skills and experiences to achieve their true potential. Federal programs, like the U.S. Department of Education’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) and the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Youth Mentoring program, are a crucial component that makes Clubs and the youth they serve successful. 

“Clubs partnering with the Federal government is the ultimate public private partnership, focusing together on solutions and polices having the greatest impact on the youth of this country,” said Clark. “Club advocacy isn’t just a one-day event and it isn’t limited to Club staff. We are motivated and committed to raising our voices on issues impacting youth in our country while amplifying and providing a platform for youth to advocate on programs and solutions that can ensure great futures for all.”

 

 

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Media Contacts 

Eliza Lynch
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
203-522-7010
elynch@bgca.org