April 11, 2024 – Boys & Girls Clubs of San Leandro received an Advocate for Youth award from the Boys & Girls Clubs of America for its advocacy on behalf of California’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 Kim Pace, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of San Leandro. “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.”
Every year, the BGCSL leadership team advocates for our youth by meeting with assembly members and state senators in Sacramento to discuss youth policy initiatives and funding streams to support accessible out-of-school programs.
“Because of the steadfast advocacy of leaders like those at Boys & Girls Club of San Leandro, 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 San Leandro 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 Advocacy Engagement Recognition Program recognizes the advocacy work Clubs do daily, emphasizing impact, creativity, and innovation. The program consists of three tiers for Clubs: Advocate (top 50% of Clubs), Hero (top 40% of Clubs) and Champion (top 10% of Clubs). Clubs get points for impactful engagements, and those points determine the tier in which 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 Pace. “Our advocacy isn’t just a one-day event. We are raising our voices daily to ensure top issues and solutions impacting young people are prioritized in our community, our state, and at the national level.”
