Congresswoman Nikema Williams (D-GA) successfully secured $2 million in Congressionally Directed Spending to support a community project led by Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The project will focus on further enhancing safety for kids, families and communities through trauma-informed abuse prevention resources for local Boys & Girls Clubs, community organizations, parents, and caregivers.
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“We are beyond grateful for the commitment and leadership of Congresswoman Williams during this process,” said Jim Clark, president & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “When school is out, our Clubs open their doors for millions of young people looking to learn and grow. Safety is the cornerstone of Boys & Girls Clubs’ mission, and nearly 5,000 communities look to local Clubs each day for safe places for young people after school and during the summer. We look forward to supporting this project providing safety resources for thousands of communities across the country.”
Keeping every child physically and emotionally safe takes comprehensive and continuous action as the challenges facing youth and our country change. This community project will build capacity and support services to local Boys & Girls Clubs around the country by providing program quality and child abuse prevention consultation, live-facilitated training, and prevention resources to local leaders and frontline staff. This project will provide resources to conduct safety assessments and strengthen efforts aligned with Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s commitment to continuous safety enhancements.
“It takes a community to raise a child. The $2 million I secured for Boys & Girls Clubs of America will equip communities with the resources they need to protect children. I am proud to work with my trusted partner, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, as we invest in children and ensure the success of future generations,” said Williams.
Boys & Girls Clubs serve more than 3.6 million youth in a typical year and exist in urban and rural areas, public housing, on Native lands and on military installations throughout the world. Yet, each day, there are 11.3 million young people who leave school with nowhere to go. That number increases to 43 million during the summer.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Child & Club Safety team requires every Club to meet rigorous national child safety standards, while ensuring youth development professionals have the resources and skills to meet the unique safety needs of their community and every kid who comes through their doors. Through environments that are physically and emotionally safe, Boys & Girls Club staff create supportive relationships with youth, opportunities to try new things with high expectations for their success and recognize their growth and effort while also supporting their physical wellness through access to fun physical activities and nutritious meals and snacks.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has provided a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Boys & Girls Clubs programming promotes academic success, good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles. Nearly 5,000 Clubs serve 3.6 million young people 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 Boys & Girls Clubs of America-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America on Facebook or Twitter.
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Contacts
Amy Becker
abecker@bgca.org
202.507.6671
