Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan State Legislature reached budget agreement for the state budget beginning October 1, including a $1,000,000 to support Boys & Girls Clubs of Michigan’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a hyper focus on supporting academic learning.
Together, Boys & Girls Clubs in Michigan collectively serving over 78,000 youth across the State at over 44 locations. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Boys & Girls Clubs have worked tirelessly to do whatever it takes for the youth, families, staff and of the communities they serve throughout Michigan. During this time local Clubs have been able to meet their communities needs through virtual programming, in-person childcare for emergency and essential workers, and coordinating the distribution of critical resources including food, backpacks and school supplies, books, and opening their doors to host lifesaving blood drives.
The new partnership between the State of Michigan and Boys & Girls Clubs, will allow Clubs across the state to provide more services to Michigan families, through the offering of academic support programs, access to healthy food, professional mentors and connection to other needed services. “Throughout this pandemic our Clubs have been stepping up to do whatever it takes” said Mike Kirby, the President of the Michigan Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs. “I am thrilled that Michigan leaders see the value we are providing and know that their investment will go a long way to making a difference for our youth during this challenging time.”
“BGCSM has continued to be ‘that safe place’ for youth in southeastern Michigan during COVID-19,” said Shawn H. Wilson, president and CEO of BGCSM. “We were one of the first to reopen for children of essential workers, summer programming and launched full day learning pods during one of the most devastating pandemics over the last 100 years. These funds ensure we remain agile and meet the needs of youth during these uncertain times.”
To get involved or learn more about the advocacy work of the Boys & Girls Club Michigan Alliance for Michigan youth and families visit MiBGClubs.org.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan
Founded in 1926, Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan (BGCSM) has over 94 years of experience serving youth ages 6-18 by providing a safe, fun place that inspires, while offering high quality programs that provide real-world learning from caring adult mentors. Serving nearly 15,000 youth annually within eight Clubs throughout southeastern Michigan, BGCSM works every day to provide a world-class experience, empowering youth to become change agents through economic mobility. By providing high quality youth development programs, BGCSM has reimagined the future of afterschool learning and continues to stay agile and expand to better support the needs of our changing youth, ensuring that they are career, start-up and homeowner ready. To learn more about BGCSM visit www.bgcsm.org and follow us on social media on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!
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