Chicago’s Union League Boys & Girls Clubs secures funding from state budget

Chicago’s Union League Boys & Girls Clubs secures funding from state budget

The Illinois Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs (Alliance) is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking achievement: the Clubs have secured a line item of $4 million in the state budget, which will help the organization expand its reach and impact of helping youth across Illinois. Among the 22 Boys & Girls Clubs in Illinois is the Union League Boys & Girls Clubs which serve over 13,000 youth annually in neighborhoods with the highest hardship index in Chicago.

In thanking members of the Illinois General Assembly for their commitment to Illinois’ youth, Alliance CEO Awisi Bustos said, “The Alliance is proud of the work our Clubs do to provide safe, nurturing afterschool programming focused on the physical, emotional and mental well-being of kids throughout the state. However, we know there is a need beyond our services that has yet to be filled. We are most grateful to the Illinois General Assembly for their commitment to the youth of our state. The additional $4 million in funding will allow us to expand our reach and provide quality afterschool programming and build workforce readiness in underserved areas of Illinois.”

The inclusion of this funding in the state budget was championed by top House and Senate Appropriators, Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth and Sen. Elgie R. Sims Jr., respectively, who both played pivotal roles in recognizing and supporting the Alliance’s crucial services.

“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.”

Senator Sims commented, "Securing $4 million in the state budget for the Boys and Girls Club is more than just an investment in infrastructure – it's an investment in our children's futures. This funding will provide essential resources and opportunities, fostering a safe and supportive environment where young people can grow, learn, and thrive. Together, we are building a stronger, brighter tomorrow for our communities."

With this vital funding, the Alliance will deploy its “Operation Impact” to expand positive youth development access across the state. To do this, Boys & Girls Clubs will:

Expand the Number of Sites: Currently, Illinois Boys & Girls Clubs has 159 Club sites in 54 Illinois communities with nearly 60,000 kids served annually. The increased funding for Boys & Girls Clubs helps to establish new sites and serve more youth with safe and nurturing spaces.

Increase the Number of Kids Served: Local Clubs across Illinois currently serve nearly 60,000 kids every year. This new funding will help increase local clubs’ reach to serve more of the 433,000 kids in the state who leave school every day with no place to go, with many being unsupervised, unguided, and put in unsafe situations.

Be Able to Continue to Provide Safe Spaces During Critical Hours: In Illinois, an average of 183 children and teens die by guns every year and 82% of these deaths are homicide. This budget allocation will allow the Boys & Girls Clubs to further ensuring kids in Illinois have access to Club-Trauma Informed Programs and services and do more to keep them away from negative exposures.

Abby Dunn, the 2024 Illinois Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year, noted how important these funds and support from the General Assembly are for helping increase youth served throughout the state. “The Boys & Girls Club has had a major impact on my life. Because of my involvement with the Club, I have amazing friends, am going to college, and starting a new job. I’m so grateful to all those who have made this possible and thank Illinois lawmakers for being champions of kids and teens like me!”

Timothy J. Cunningham, recently named Board Chairman of Union League Boys & Girls Clubs, proudly serves as the Treasurer of Illinois Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs.

Learn more at https://bgcillinois.org/.

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