In response to powerful, persistent advocacy, the federal government has released 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant Funds.
That means the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle’s previously endangered after-school and summer programs are now again funded – AND HAVE BEEN SAVED!
The loss of these life-changing programs, funded by a $911,000 grant, would have been devastating for 450 youths. But on Friday afternoon, the welcomed news finally and thankfully arrived: Shifting federal budget priorities have RESTORED 21st Century funding that’s so vitally needed.
You’ll remember that on June 30, 2025, the federal Department of Education said 21st Century funding would not be distributed – as it has been for decades. That money, already appropriated by Congress, represents a decades-long, bipartisan investment in youth development. Overall, almost a million and a half youths across the country would have lost out on crucial support – and Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle staff layoffs, and elsewhere as well, were a grave but real possibility.
That’s when you – embracing the exceptional importance of seeding futures for our youths – jumped into action. And you didn’t let up.
A full-on strategic communications blitz began here in Westchester County. Elected representatives received hundreds of phone calls. Online petitions calling for the restoration of the money were signed by family after family after family. Impassioned emails were sent. Touching personal stories of how rewarding Boys & Girls Club programs changed lives were shared. And news stories demonstrated the comprehensive value of these programs, showing our youths working hard to shape their futures.
Nationally, the galvanizing impact of Boys & Girls Club of America advocacy was massive: 23,000 emails and more than 3,200 calls to members of Congress. More than 700 local and 15 national news stories were reported in barely more than two weeks. That groundswell of urgency spurred congressional representatives to make calls, hold press conferences, visit Clubs and demand action on behalf of youths nationwide.
And now, despite seemingly unsurmountable odds, we’ve won. Together, as one, we made a difference for our youths who:
- WILL receive support for their academic success in school.
- WILL benefit from career development training.
- WILL be assisted in college preparation.
- WILL see their maturity aided by character-building programming and resources.
- WILL gain the advantages, personally and academically, from other important Boys & Girls Club initiatives funded by this 21st Century grant.
Through this experience, our youths experienced wonderful lessons – the importance of focused advocacy, the opportunity to be seen and heard, and how incredible collaboration can power youths’ pathways for realizing their dreams.
We invite you to visit BGCNR.org to learn more about how great futures for youths start at Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle.
THANK YOU AGAIN – AND CONGRATULATIONS!