Advocate for Youth Development

WINTER 2020BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA

FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ADVOCATE PRIORITY 3

Government Relations and Funding 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. Learn more about BGCA’s Office of Government Relations. 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!

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.

WINTER 2020BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA

FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ADVOCATE PRIORITY 3

The Massachusetts Alliance received $2.2 million via a state budget line item that will be used to serve at-risk youth.

Building Local Capacity for Advocacy 2019 saw the launch of our Movement’s inaugural advocacy platform, the Agenda for America’s Youth, with an official event in Washington, D.C. Now Clubs and Alliances are utilizing available resources to engage with elected officials, media, parents, alumni and community members around issues impacting kids and available solutions in their communities and states – including state legislative sessions and State Legislative Days. Our Movement’s National Days of Advocacy 2020 (NDOA), occurring March 3-4, give advocates the opportunity to meet with elected officials and their staff to demonstrate the value Clubs bring to communities and the current issues facing America’s youth. Because of efforts by attendees of NDOA 2019, we saw the introduction of The Youth Workforce Readiness Act. NDOA 2020 gives us the opportunity to garner further Congressional support and turn the bill into law. Formal registration for the event can be found on the NDOA page on the GR section of BGCA.net. Please email your questions to Advocacy@BGCA.org. Congressman Josh Harder (D-CA) highlighted his recent visit to the Boys & Girls Club of Tracy as he announced the introduction of The Youth Workforce Readiness Act of 2019.

Advocacy happens 365 days a year and Clubs have access to comprehensive resources to support continued momentum around this work – from best practices and trainings to planning: • Build your own local advocacy plan. • Register for an upcoming advocacy training on topics like NDOA, social media engagement, available funding streams and more. • For the latest resources and news, sign up for the monthly Club Advocate newsletter. Visit the new Advocate for Youth webpage on BGCA. org to learn more about the Agenda for America’s Youth, our advocacy priorities and how to get involved to close the opportunity gap for America’s kids and teens.