Boston, MA – Today, the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs hosted its 19th Annual Legislative Event, with club members, staff and boards of directors, elected officials, and media representatives in attendance from across the Commonwealth. The event featured remarks from State Representative Aaron Michlewitz, State Senator John Velis, State Senator Eric Lesser, and 2021 Massachusetts Youth of the Year Alton from the Roxbury Boys & Girls Club.
“We were overjoyed to be able to virtually gather to thank our legislators for all their support during this past year” said Jennifer Aldworth, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs. “We are proud to serve children and teens across the Commonwealth in all of our communities, and want to continue to provide solutions to community recovery.”
The event highlighted and celebrated the important role Clubs play in their communities: providing afterschool and out-of-school time programming, offering social and emotional support to kids and teens, serving hundreds of thousands of meals to those in need, and providing childcare to working families. The Alliance also took the opportunity to thank the Legislature for the unprecedented $10 million allocation in ARPA funding to support Clubs’ COVID-19 recovery efforts. They also called upon the legislature to support their $3.2 million budget request for FY2023, which will help Clubs to continue serving nearly 90,000 kids at 68 Club sites across the Commonwealth.
As part of the event, the Alliance bestowed Representative Michlewitz and Senator Velis with its 2022 House and Senate Champion of Youth Awards, in recognition of their tireless advocacy on behalf of Boys & Girls Clubs on Beacon Hill.
“It is truly an honor to be presented this award from such an awesome organization like the Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs. Our Commonwealth’s Boys & Girls Clubs have always been an incredible resource in our communities, but they have really stepped up and adapted in amazing ways over the past two years to help meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic” said Senator John C. Velis, Second Hampden and Hampshire District. “Great Futures really do start at the Boys & Girls Club and I am proud to support all of our Commonwealth’s Clubs as they continue their mission.”
“The Boys & Girls Club do great work across the Commonwealth helping thousands of our youngest residents and their families each and every day. I want to thank the organization for honoring me with this award. I look forward to continuing to work with the Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs to improve the lives of thousands of our residents.” said Representative Aaron Michlewitz, Chair of the House Committee on Ways & Means (D-Boston).
Also speaking during the event was Alton, from the Roxbury Boys and Girls Club, the Alliance’s 2021 Massachusetts Youth of the Year. Alton is a first-year student double-majoring in Psychology & Sports Management at Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH. On campus, he fosters positive relationships with his community to ensure everyone is included, a key value he learned in his time as a 12-year member of the Roxbury Boys & Girls Club. During his time at Roxbury, he was an active member of the Keystone Club, the Ready to Work Fellowship and also travelled with the Explore India program. Now an alumnus, the 2021 Massachusetts Youth of the Year serves as a Community Engaged Fellow on Xavier’s campus, focusing on youth mentorship & relationship building. Alton is also on the Leadership Committee on the executive board of the club Gentlemen Organized for Achievement & Leadership.
“The Club is my home, and nothing short of that. It’s a place where I can express myself freely, and I connect even more with my friends” said Alton.
About the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs
The Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs serves as the collective voice for Clubs on Beacon Hill and beyond. The Alliance works with state government to secure ongoing public support for Club programs across the Commonwealth. The Alliance includes 40 clubs across the State – which serve over nearly 90,000 children and teens at 68 Club sites.
For more information visit:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BGCMass/
Website: https://massalliancebgc.org/index.html
Twitter: @massalliancebgc
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