Rep. Stanley lobbies for Senate earmark of $1.3M for the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs

 

 

 

 

 

June 27, 2016

The Honorable Brian S. Dempsey, Chair

House Committee on Ways and Means

Massachusetts House of Representatives

State House Room 243

Boston, MA 02133

Dear Chairman Dempsey,

Hope this note finds you well.  I am writing to you today to urge the FY17 Conference Committee to adopt the Senate earmark of $1.3m for the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs (Youth-at-Risk line-item 4590-1507) in the final FY17 budget.

As you know, the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs is a consortium of 42 Boys and Girls Club corporations that operate throughout the state of Massachusetts.  The Alliance was formed a decade ago for the purpose of seeking and sharing financial and program opportunities to help better serve the children of our Commonwealth.  In total, the Alliance serves over 164,000 in 53 diverse cities and towns of the Commonwealth.  These clubs have unparalleled access to the children, families and communities, supporting programs to reduce youth violence, drug abuse, drop-out rates and other social issues.  They offer programs and services that are proven to make a difference, ranging from academic support and career development to health and life skills. Investing in the work of the Boys & Girls Clubs now will pay continuing dividends in the future, saving the state millions in law enforcement, drug rehabilitation, and other social costs.

With the support of the Legislature, the Alliance secured a $1.1m allocation in FY16.  While this earmark provided a much-needed funding boost to the Boys and Girls Clubs, it represented a 66% reduction from FY09 spending levels.  Adopting the Senate level of $1.3m, over the House’s $1.2m allocation, will help the Alliance and its member clubs serve more kids and provide more programming in a time of high demand and rising costs.

The Boys and Girls Club in my district has such a tremendous relationship with the youth of the Waltham community.  Additional funding for the Alliance will continue to build on the progress that has been made in these clubs for the past ten years.  I respectfully urge you to adopt the Senate earmark of $1.3m for the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs (line-item 4590-1507) in the Conference Committee Report.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration on this matter.

Sincerely,

Thomas M. Stanley