BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA
WINTER 2020
ADVOCATE FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
PRIORITY 3
Government Relations and Funding
We are proud to announce an example of our Agenda for America’s Youth in action. Through the efforts of targeted advocacy on behalf of our national Government Relations team and local Club advocates, The Youth Workforce Readiness Act of 2019 was formally introduced in Congress. This bill aims to establish grants through the Department of Labor for youthserving out-of-school time organizations that deliver workforce and job readiness programs. Through essential skills development, career exploration, employment training and workbased learning, this support will equip and empower teens to find a job or pursue their professional passion. Tell your member of Congress to invest in our future workforce by supporting this legislation. Go to the Take Action page on BGCA.org to make your voice heard!
BGCA’s Government Relations strategy focuses on advocacy, diversification of funding streams and the targeted engagement of elected officials at the federal, state and local levels. Through ongoing education, awareness and amplification, the Government Relations team works to ensure elected officials see BGCA as a strategic partner to keep communities safe and prosperous through the prioritization of out-of-school time. In 2019, government funding exceeding the goal of $206 million, with more than $138 million to support State Alliances and $69 million in federal subsidies that included $41 million in 21st Century Community Learning Center awards and Direct Federal Grants for local Clubs secured by the newly created Government Relations Club Services Team. Federal: In 2019, we successfully saw increases and support in a number of priority areas that move the needle for youth: 21st Century Community Learning Centers, National Youth Mentoring and youth workforce readiness all received substantial growth and backing from our champions in Congress. At the time of publication, the bills that include the funding have not yet been finalized by Congress. Using the Agenda for America’s Youth as a guide, priorities are identified based on the largest federal funding streams Clubs can currently access, areas of greatest need, and areas Congress is investing additional resources. We aim to keep the momentum going in 2020 and continue the growth of Department of Justice Youth Mentoring Initiatives as well as 21st Century Community Learning Centers, while also advocating for policies that positively impact youth including improving summer and after-school meals through the Child Nutrition Act reauthorization and related bill, the Summer Meals Act. State Alliances: It was another successful year for State Alliances, which secured more than $138 million in funding support. Critical to success has been strengthening Alliance capacity and building comprehensive advocacy and funding strategies in each state – 25% of Alliances will have Agenda for America’s Youth-aligned advocacy plans implemented. This work will not only be pivotal for 2020 but will lay the foundation for reaching our $185 million State Alliance goal in 2025.
The New Hampshire congressional delegation, including U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, along with Reps. Annie Kuster and Chris Pappas, held a roundtable discussion on opioids at the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley.
Learn more about BGCA’s Office of Government Relations.
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