ADVOCACY
We need your voice now more than ever.
7/17/2025: Local engagement around 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) is critical. Below, you’ll find impact data for our club and a simple guide to completing our call alerts.
What are 21st Century Community Learning Centers?
The Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) initiative is the only federal funding source dedicated exclusively to supporting local after-school, before-school and summer learning programs. The program serves nearly 1.4 million youth and their families, through grants awarded by state education agencies.
What’s at stake:
Loss of 21st CCLC funding represents a roughly 5% loss of annual funding for BGCCI. This could mean:
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100+ youth without a solution for after-school care.
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Loss of 15+ Iowa jobs.
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Potential Club closure.
Other Resources
Federal Advocacy Guide:
Use the form on the linked page to enter your name and address. The system will match you with your members of Congress.
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You’ll be given a script for each official. Click through and you’ll receive an automated call that connects you directly to their office.
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When connected, read the script and feel free to include a personal story or your connection to Boys & Girls Clubs.
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After each call, let us know how it went (voicemail or live answer) and move on to the next official.
In less than ten minutes, you can have an impact on BGCCI’s future, and the future of 1.4 million youth across the country.