Boys & Girls Clubs of America Champion Kids and Teens During National Day of Advocacy
Club leaders meet with members of Congress to campaign for the needs of nation's youth
Club leaders meet with members of Congress to campaign for the needs of nation's youth
WASHINGTON, March 15, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today kicks-off Boys & Girls Clubs of America's (BGCA) National Day of Advocacy in Washington D.C., where top executives from hundreds of Boys & Girls Clubs will engage members of Congress around the critical needs of kids and teens in America. Club leaders will join BGCA President and CEO Jim Clark to meet with Congressional leaders. They serve as a voice for millions of kids and teens who attend Clubs around the country, including on Native lands, and on BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide.
Now in its third year, BGCA's National Day of Advocacy empowers Club executives and board members to build awareness and support for programs that allow children and teens to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
Tuesday night on Capitol Hill there will be a reception featuring Luke Russert and honoring Congressional champions for Boys & Girls Clubs including Sen. Thad Cochran of Mississippi, Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland, Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, Sen. Barbara Mikulski of Maryland and Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana.
"For more than a century, Boys & Girls Clubs have served as local and national advocates for children and teens, standing up for their needs when others would not," said Jim Clark. "Our organization furthers this commitment today by working with Congress and local governments to advocate for our youth, especially the ones who need us most. Dedicated Club staff work with young people each day to change the opportunity equation and empower them to achieve a great future. It's our duty and privilege to be a voice for the next generation, so that all youth have the same opportunities and experiences to shape their outlook and lives for a brighter tomorrow."
BGCA 2015-16 National Youth of the Year Whitney Stewart and nine past Youth of the Year representatives will participate in National Day of Advocacy as Club teen advocates. Club leaders are expected to engage Congressional leaders on issues impacting the communities, kids and families they serve, including 21st Century Community Learning Centers, after-school and summer meal and snack programs, youth mentoring and outreach to Native youth and military-connected youth and families.
To learn more about BGCA go to www.greatfutures.org.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,100 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at http://www.bgca.org/facebook and http://bgca.org/twitter.
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SOURCE Boys & Girls Clubs of America
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