The unprecedented decision to withhold 21st Century Community Learning Center funds carries serious implications for Boys & Girls Clubs across the nation and the young people and families who rely on them.
If 21st Century Community Learning Center funds are blocked (approximately $1.7 million in total for local Clubs), the fallout will impact six of twenty-five Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta’s (BGCMA) afterschool sites and more than 500 young people who will lose access to vital foundations such as nutritious meals, supportive mentors, and safe spaces during the most crucial hours of the day.
On July 1, Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s President and CEO, Jim Clark, released a public statement that illustrates the devastating implications this loss of funding will have on Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide.
While this unprecedented development is significant, it does not catch us off guard. BGCMA has been proactively working on a contingency and advocacy plan for months. This news accelerates the important work we have begun—rallying partners and funders to help sustain full-year programming for the youth we serve.
Our summer programs remain fully funded, and we are moving forward with fall registration as planned. We remain hopeful that federal funding will be restored in time to open our Blue Doors in August with the start of the school year. In the meantime, our mission is unwavering: to ignite the unlimited potential of the kids and teens we serve across 25 Clubs in 9 Metro Atlanta counties. We are also amplifying advocacy efforts for our youth, families, and staff—ensuring they receive the support they need and deserve. We invite our community to stand with us during this critical time.
We call on the Administration, with bipartisan support in Congress, to act swiftly and release the funds that families are already counting on. America’s future depends on how we show up for its kids — especially right now. Visit www.bgcma.org to learn more, support our mission, and join our advocacy efforts.
CALL ON CONGRESS TO GET AFTER-SCHOOL FUNDING RELEASED TO THE STATES
FOR MEDIA INQURIES:
Dr. Nae
Shernā Ann Phillips, Ph.D.
Senior VP of Marketing & Communications
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta
2880 Dresden Dr., Chamblee, GA 30341
404-527-7586 |sphillips@bgcma.org