With the help of the United States Congress and the United States Department of Justice, the Boys & Girls Club of Drew County is conducting an outreach initiative to add 125 new members over the next twelve months.

            “One of our highest callings, as law enforcement officers and as parents, is to safeguard our young people and ensure that they have meaningful opportunities to lead successful lives,” said Alberto Gonzalez, Attorney General, The United States Department of Justice.  “The Justice Department’s longtime support for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America has been an important part of our effort to protect America’s youth, from such dangers as the online exploitation of kids, to youth crime and delinquency.  We value our partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs.”

            “Our support of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America has helped give young people healthy alternatives to risky lifestyles,” said Regina Schofield, Assistant Attorney General of the Office of Justice Programs, United States Department of Justice.  “Every day, our collaboration is turning kids away from truancy, drugs, and crime and toward self-achievement.”

            Funding for this initiative comes from a recent $85 million dollar appropriation from Congress to Boys & Girls Clubs of America.  These funds, the majority of which are being passed-through to local Boys and Girls Clubs, are part of a five-year effort to serve one m

illion additional young people throughout the nation.  The Office of Juvenile & Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, United States Department of Justice, is funding this initiative.

            The Boys & Girls Club of Drew County has played an integral role in Monticello for nine years, providing daily programs and services to over 150 young people.  The Club is open Monday thru Friday from 3:00p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with programs that emphasize character and leadership development, education and career enhancement, health and life skills, the arts, and sports, fitness, and recreation.

            Boys & Girls Clubs of America comprises a national network of more than 3,900 neighborhood-based facilities annually serving more than 4.6 million young people, especially those who need us most.

            For more information about the Boys & Girls Club of Drew County please call (870) 367-2334 or come by 175 Henley Drive in the City Park School.