Boys & Girls Club fights for funding

Posted on March 27, 2017

By RFD Radio/WFMB

SPRINGFIELD – The Boys & Girls Club of Illinois says a critical program could be cut if President Donald Trump’s proposed budget moves forward.

The budget item – the 21st Century Community Learning Centers – provides Illinois about $52 million a year in funding and a portion goes to the Boys and Girls Clubs sites that are located inside of schools. Central Illinois Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Bill Legge said if those locations go away student performance will suffer.

“Better yet, ask a teacher because nobody can say better than them the impact these programs have,” Legge said.

He noted that 84 percent of teachers surveyed said regular attendees to the Boys & Girls Club regularly turned in their homework on time and close to 90 percent improved their academic performance.

The sites, often located in schools, focus on having certified tutors to help students with afterschool homework. They also provide a snack for the kids and a safe environment for them while they wait for a parent to come home from work.

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