Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan has been awarded an Out-of-School Time grant from the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). $50 million in grants were awarded across the state to increase access to before- and after-school and summer learning programs, helping more youth engage in enrichment activities outside of the regular school day. Boys & Girls of Greater Southwest Michigan served as the lead organization in submitting for Boys & Girls Clubs in the state.
The $5 million award to the Michigan Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs will support 16 Clubs and approximately 48 individual sites across the state of Michigan, including seven in southwest Michigan (Benton Harbor (2), Benton Heights, Bridgman (2), St. Joseph, and Sturgis).
Locally, funds awarded to Southwest Michigan Clubs support and expand access to critical ongoing programs where every member has the knowledge to make healthy choices, graduates from high school with a plan, and has the confidence to build a Great Future. A determination of the dollar amount each of the 16 Clubs will receive will be made by the Michigan Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs in early January 2024.
“Today, we are expanding access to before and after school programs for over 67,000 students at 780 locations across Michigan, ensuring every student gets the support they need to succeed,” said Governor Whitmer in a release from the state. “These programs help kids explore their interests, get extra academic support, and connect with their peers. They also make it easier for parents to work, knowing their kids are safe and cared for additional time outside of school hours. As a parent and as governor, I know that today’s investments will set more students up for success.”
These grants will help provide educational programming in core subject areas, including, but not limited to, mathematics, reading, and science. Recipients can use funds to increase their enrollment capacity, accelerate learning, and reduce costs for participating families, helping to resolve the unmet demand for Out-of-School Time programming in Michigan. Across the state, a total of 125 program proposals will be funded for the 2023-2024 program year to serve 31,000+ youth during the school year and an additional 36,000+ young people during the summer.
Since 2017, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan has expanded from its two legacy sites in Benton Harbor to seven Clubs serving four southwest Michigan communities. Replicating the successful model founded in Benton Harbor has allowed the Clubs to reach new young people and help them develop into the future leaders of their communities.
For more information on locations, hours, and registration, visit bgcswmi.org.
Registration is priced affordably with a one-time $5.00 fee for the school year session (September through May) and a one-time $5.00 fee for the summer session (dates vary by location).
