BGCA Receives Hero of Youth Award
Lafayette, LA – Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana received a Hero of Youth award from the National Boys & Girls Clubs of America for their advocacy on behalf of Louisiana’s youth.
“Clubs like ours have a unique role as community leaders in providing valuable afterschool programs to our country’s youth that enable them to achieve great futures,” said Brach Myers, Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana Board Member. “We are wholly committed to raising the visibility of the needs of our community youth, especially the ones who need us most, and show what we can accomplish with the support of our elected officials and our community.”
Members like Brach have taken steps to make sure Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana’s voice is heard for the needs of the kids they serve and the youth they want to reach in their growing efforts. Topline advocacy efforts to create this movement include inviting to Legislators tour Clubs, creating conversations with the Republican and Democratic parties to talk about the importance of Clubs throughout the state, attending Children’s Cabinet Meetings to present Club Impact on surrounding communities, and working alongside Legislators to raise awareness and support in the importance of afterschool programming.
Boys & Girls Club advocates are guided by the Agenda for America’s Youth, an advocacy platform outlining the pressing problems facing our nation’s youth as well as solutions that will make the most difference in our young people’s present and future. Boys & Girls Clubs’ advocacy builds upon a commitment to increasing opportunities for all young people by ensuring their voices are heard in communities and at the state and federal level as Boys & Girls Clubs champion policies and solutions that will have the greatest impact on the youth of this country.
“Because of the steadfast advocacy of leaders like Boys & Girls Club of Acadiana, our nation’s youth have access to skills and experiences that can put them on the path to great futures,” said Jim Clark, CEO & President of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “These successes aren’t possible without a strong partnership with elected officials at the local, State and Federal levels. I commend the Boys & Girls Club of Acadiana for their tireless work on behalf of their community’s youth and congratulate them on this much-deserved recognition.”
The Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Club Advocacy Engagement Recognition Program recognizes the advocacy work Clubs and Alliances do every day, with a major emphasis on impact, creativity, and innovation. The program consists of three tiers for Clubs: Advocate, Hero, and Champion. Clubs get points for impactful engagements and those points determine what tier a Club is placed.
“Boys & Girls Clubs champion opportunities for all youth, equipping young people with the experiences and tools they need to succeed,” said Rhyan Wheeler, CEO & President of Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana. “Our advocacy isn’t just a one-day event. We are raising our voices every single day, to ensure top issues and solutions impacting young people are prioritized in our community, our state and at the national level.”
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana
This year marks the 52nd anniversary of Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana. Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana operates under a mission to empower all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. Serving youth in 7 different locations, Boys & Girls Clubs provide opportunities through after school and summer programs which focus on Academic Success, Healthy Lifestyles & Habits, and Good Character & Leadership. An 8th location in New Iberia’s West End is projected to open in 2023.
If interested in supporting the Boys & Girls Club, visit www.bgcacadiana.com/donate or call 337-268-9555.