Boys & Girls Clubs receives state funding to expand in Illinois

Posted on July 30, 2024
The CEO of the Illinois Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs, Awisi Bustos, said the alliance is proud of the work the Boys & Girls Clubs do to provide after-school programming and is grateful for the additional funding. (Photo courtesy Facebook/Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal)

By WMBD-TV

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs announced on Tuesday that it has secured funding from the Illinois General Assembly to help expand its reach around the state.

According to a news release from the Boys & Girls Clubs, it will receive $4 million in state funding that was secured with help from State Rep. Jehan Gordon Booth (D-Peoria) and State Sen. Elgie R. Sims (D-Chicago).

“Throughout Illinois, Boys & Girls Clubs provide vital youth development opportunities that contribute to academic success, enhance social-emotional growth, teach important life lessons and promote healthy outcomes,” Gordon-Booth said. “It’s critical that our state invests in smart community programs that prioritize our children and make a strong, positive difference that can last a lifetime.”

Currently, the 159 Boys & Girls Clubs in Illinois serve close to 60,000 kids every year. The funding will increase the number of kids they will be able to serve to about 433,000.

The CEO of the Illinois Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs, Awisi Bustos, said the alliance is proud of the work the Boys & Girls Clubs do to provide after-school programming and is grateful for the additional funding.

“The additional $4 million in funding will allow us to expand our reach and provide quality after-school programming and build workforce readiness in underserved areas of Illinois,” Bustos said.

More information on the Boys & Girls Clubs and its services is available here.

WMBD-TV can be reached at [email protected]

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