By JR Kenney
The hours after school are some of the most critical for a child’s safety. Research shows that the hours between 3-6 p.m. are when young people are most likely to be involved in or become victims of crime, substance use, or other risky behaviors.
Still, states often overlook the importance of funding quality, data-driven afterschool programs that keep kids safe.
Fortunately, Pennsylvania is not one of them. In the past year, thanks to funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD)’s Building Opportunity Out of School Time (BOOST) program, the Pennsylvania Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs has been able to support and expand programs and services across 13 of our Boys & Girls Clubs spanning the commonwealth.
Annually, Boys & Girls Clubs are safe havens for more than 43,600 young people at 44 locations across the commonwealth—providing mentorship, educational support, food assistance, and a sense of belonging for kids and teens.
In communities large and small, urban and rural, Boys & Girls Clubs have been a guiding light, providing positive experiences and healthy spaces for youth to thrive.
With the BOOST funding, Boys & Girls Clubs in Allegheny, Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Elk, Erie, Franklin, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lehigh, Northampton and Montgomery Counties have grown their capacity to serve more youth, provide trauma-informed care, and strengthen violence prevention programs designed specifically for at-risk youth.
BOOST funds will reduce barriers to participation through free or low-cost out-of-school time (OST) programming that is: trauma-informed and culturally competent; located in convenient, safe community-based venues; includes transportation services; increases access; and expands the number of youth currently served. Boys & Girls Clubs will be able to serve nearly 3,000 youth through after-school and summer programs.
One of these programs is Skills Mastery and Resilience Training (SMART) Moves, an evidence-based, targeted prevention and education program that addresses issues such as drug and alcohol use.
SMART Moves uses a team approach that involves Club staff, peer leaders, parents and community representatives. Young people ages 6 to 15 engage in discussion and role-playing, practicing resilience and refusal skills, developing assertiveness, strengthening decision-making skills and analyzing media and peer influence.
Today, firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States and here in Pennsylvania, surpassing car accidents and cancer. By providing more structure, positive mentorship, and safe spaces during the vulnerable after-school hours and over the summer months, we can protect more kids and put them on a path to success.
The Afterschool Alliance describes afterschool programming as a key tool in keeping kids safe and out of trouble, and ensuring kids are learning, engaging in physical activity, and building life skills. Pennsylvania parents also strongly support these programs: 88% of parents support public funding for afterschool programming.
Investing in our children is more than just bolstering funds for classroom hours, it is also about investing in quality OST programs that create transformative learning experiences for kids across Pennsylvania and keep them safe. OST programs play a crucial role in educating our youth and preparing them for productive, fulfilling lives as youth and as adults.
With so many kids still waiting for access to after-school and summer programs in Pennsylvania, now is not the time to scale back support for these programs. With that, the Pennsylvania Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs strongly backs Gov. Shapiro’s proposal to increase funding for PCCD’s BOOST program by $10 million, nearly doubling its impact and reach.
In quoting Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, “The experiences I had at the Boys & Girls Club shaped me and helped put me on the path to becoming lieutenant bovernor.”
Every child deserves the ability to access a safe, nurturing environment where they can learn, grow, thrive— and maybe someday, even become Pennsylvania’s Lieutenant Governor.
JR Kenny is lead director, Government Relations, Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
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