Congresswoman DeLauro Receives Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s ‘Champion of Youth’ Award
WASHINGTON, DC (March 5, 2019) – Boys & Girls Clubs of America announced U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) as one of the recipients of their 2019 Champions of Youth Award. The honor was presented at the organization's fifth annual National Days of Advocacy in Washington D.C. where nearly 200 Boys & Girls Club leaders, volunteers and youth from across the nation meet with members of Congress to advocate on behalf of America's youth.
"Congresswoman DeLauro is a prime example of a leader who goes above and beyond, demonstrating an outstanding commitment to our nation's youth," said Jim Clark, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "A familiar face at Clubs across the state, the Congresswoman's leadership advancing policies impacting youth, especially around educational enrichment and workforce readiness, has had an incredible impact across the state. On behalf of the 86,000 kids in Connecticut Clubs serve every day, we are proud to recognize Congresswoman DeLauro as a remarkable example of what it means to truly represent the interests of kids and teens."
Created in 2016, the Congressional Champion of Youth Award recognizes distinguished leadership and extraordinary commitment to the shared goal of encouraging the nation's young people to reach their full potential. Congresswoman DeLauro's efforts to protect and increase funding for 21st Century Community Learnings Centers has helped support youth during critical out-of-school time hours and prepared them with the skills they need to succeed in life and career.
"Afterschool programs are a clear winner for our youngsters. They enrich their lives and help them do better in school while providing working parents with peace of mind," said Congresswoman DeLauro, Chair of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee. "Investing in high quality afterschool programs is money well-spent—paying huge dividends in the short-term and later in life. That is why it is such an honor to receive this award from the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. I am as committed as ever to making sure these important programs continue to receive the funding they deserve."
Serving more than 4 million youth at 4,300 sites, 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. Supporting America's youth has never been more urgent in the nation's history. Currently, one in five young people lives in poverty and one in six is unlikely to graduate high school on time. Over 11 million young people are unsupervised after school, when juvenile crime escalates. Clubs are open every day after school and, as data indicates, provide programming that closes this opportunity gap so that all young people have the opportunity succeed.
"Congresswoman DeLauro has been a valuable partner and steadfast supporter for kids and families in our community," said Shaye Roscoe, executive director of Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley. "She has consistently shown her unwavering dedication and reliable leadership on issues and challenges affecting our kids and teens. We are proud to call her a Champion of Youth."
According to Boys & Girls Clubs of America's annual National Youth Outcomes Report, 97 percent of Club teens reported that they expect to graduate from high school, with 73 percent of low-income members ages 12 to 17 saying they earn mostly A's and B's, compared with 69 percent of their peers nationally. Additionally, Club teens are more likely to abstain from alcohol and marijuana than their national peers. Boys & Girls Clubs understand the problems facing America's youth and offer proven solutions that support the success of millions of kids.