To The Leader

 

Austin, TX – The Texas Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs has selected Representative Dade Phelan as one of its State Alliance Legislative Champions for the 85^th Legislative session for his support of Texas Boys & Girls Clubs.

Texas Alliance Executive Director, Michael Willard, in recognizing Representative Phelan, said that as a member of the Texas House Appropriations Committee, Representative Phelan’s leadership during the 85^th Legislative Session made it possible to maintain $2.25M/year in funding for the Texas Academic Innovation and Mentoring (TX AIM) programs at local Clubs statewide. “Representative Phelan was there for the Kids in supporting the funding for the TX AIM program. He understands how important the program is and fought hard to keep it funded.”

The State Alliance Legislative Champion Award is given to elected officials who have gone above and beyond to further the position of the Texas State Alliance, help secure or maintain state funding or had other major impacts on the Alliance. Representative Phelan has taken the lead in representing and advocating on behalf of Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the state.

The TX AIM program is administered by the Texas Education Agency. In its 10^th year, the program has served nearly 13,000 at-risk and limited English proficiency youth through a skills gap remediation curriculum led by certified teachers in the Club after school. After only 30 hours of small group instruction, 85% of youth advance an academic level. Youth also receive critical wrap-around prevention services daily at their local Boys & Girls Clubs. Currently TX AIM is offered at 39 Clubs statewide, from El Paso to Houston and Wichita Falls to McAllen.

Boys & Girls Club Mission: “To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.” There are over 400 Boys & Girls Club program sites in the State of Texas, serving more than 345,000 youth ages six to 18. For more information on Boys & Girls Clubs, visit www.bgca.org or www.txbgc.org.