Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence Receives Hero of Youth Award
LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence, Kan. (BGCLK) has received a Hero of Youth award from the national Boys & Girls Clubs of America for their advocacy on behalf of Kansas youth.
“Clubs like ours have a unique role as community leaders in providing valuable afterschool programs for our youth,” said Laci Maltbie, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence. “We are committed to raising the visibility of need in our community, especially for the children and adolescents who need us most. This could not happen without the support of our elected officials, and we thank them for their partnership.”
In 2023, BGCLK actively promoted the importance of afterschool programming through a variety of initiatives. The organization hosted the Lawrence Youth of the Year event to celebrate local Club teens’ achievements, showcased the creative potential of youth at Lights On!, met with representatives at the Kansas State Capitol, rallied community support and vital funding at the Celebrity Softball Tournament, and so much more. These activities underscored the dedication to enriching programs for youth and highlighted the many benefits of afterschool activities.
“Because of the steadfast advocacy of leaders like Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence, our nation’s youth have access to skills and experiences that can put them on the path to great futures,” said Jim Clark, CEO & President of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “These successes aren’t possible without a strong partnership with elected officials at the local, State and Federal levels. I commend the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence for their tireless work on behalf of their community’s youth and congratulate them on this much-deserved recognition.”
The Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Club Advocacy Engagement Recognition Program recognizes the advocacy work Clubs do every day, with a major emphasis on impact, creativity and innovation. The program consists of three tiers for Clubs: Advocate (top 50% of Clubs), Hero (top 40% of Clubs) and Champion (top 10% of Clubs). Clubs get points for impactful engagements and those points determine what tier a Club is placed.
“Boys & Girls Clubs open doors for every young person, giving them the experiences and tools to thrive,” said Maltbie. “Our advocacy isn’t just a one-day event. Every day, we are making our voices heard to ensure top issues and solutions impacting young people are prioritized in our community, our state and our nation.”