HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Boys & Girls Clubs of North Alabama has been honored with a Champions of Youth award from the national Boys & Girls Clubs of America for its commitment to advocating for Alabama 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 Patrick Wynn, BGCNAL CEO. “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.”
The organization collaborated closely with local Representatives and Senators to ensure Alabama's youth access quality enrichment programs during afterschool hours and summer breaks. This effort included active participation in Advocacy Days in Washington D.C., hosting special tours of clubs, attending key events, and delivering impact reports showcasing the benefits of investing in youth development. At the Alabama Youth of the Year event, winners are announced during the State Legislative Breakfast, where the top four finalists speak.
“Because of the steadfast advocacy of leaders like Boys & Girls Club of North Alabama, 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 North Alabama for their tireless work on behalf of their community’s youth and congratulate them on this much-deserved recognition.”
The program consists of three tiers for Boys & Girls 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 Patrick Wynn. “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.”
