FORT MYERS, Fla. (Aug. 20, 2013) – As part of the recent $9 million statewide appropriation for the Florida Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs (representing 45 Boys & Girls Club organizations in Florida), State Representative Matt Caldwell presented the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County with a symbolic check for the total Florida appropriation.
“We are very grateful to receive $148,000 as part of the statewide appropriation,” said Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County Chief Professional Officer Shannon Lane. “This is double the amount of state funding we received last year, so we’re excited to create even greater opportunities for our local youth.”
Boys & Girls Clubs provide safe places where children can learn, grow, receive help with homework and develop coping skills that assist them in avoiding destructive influences in a fast-paced, complex world.
“By placing an emphasis on programs like Boys & Girls Clubs that positively influence at-risk youth, we are minimizing their chances of becoming delinquent, thus creating safer, stronger communities more equipped to produce a generation of successful Floridians,” said Representative Matt Caldwell during his visit to the Lehigh branch of the Boys & Girls Club Lee County.
According to Florida TaxWatch, taxpayers also benefit from Boys & Girls Club programs. For every youth who is diverted from criminal activities, $5,000 in public costs is avoided, and for every youth diverted from incarceration, the state saves $45,000.
“While this is very exciting news for Clubs all around the state, there is still a great need for local community support,” said Lane. “The need for our services continues to grow with waiting lists not getting any shorter. The Club at Lehigh is a perfect example, having 65 children registered in the afterschool program and 78 on the waiting list.”
According to Florida TaxWatch, taxpayers also benefit from Boys & Girls Club programs. For every youth who is diverted from criminal activities, $5,000 in public costs is avoided, and for every youth diverted from incarceration, the state saves $45,000.
The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs is to inspire and enable young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. Membership dues are $10 per school year so that all children can have access to our programs. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County relies upon the philanthropic support of individuals, corporations and foundations in order to sustain and grow its services.
