Senator Collins Receives Congressional Champion of Youth Award from Boys & Girls Clubs

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Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins met virtually with leaders of the Maine Boys & Girls Clubs from Portland, Falmouth, and Presque Isle. During the meeting, Senator Collins was honored with the Congressional Champion of Youth Award for her longstanding commitment to ensuring that youth have the tools and resources they need to achieve their true potential.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of America recognized Senator Collins for her leadership on the Youth Workforce Readiness Act, support for the Summer Meals Act, and for being a friend to Clubs in Maine through regular visits and meetings.

“Boys & Girls Clubs provide a safe, structured environment for children to play and develop skills that prepare them for a lifetime of success,” said Senator Collins. “It was an honor to receive the Congressional Champion of Youth Award for my efforts to support these critical afterschool programs across the state. I look forward to our continued work together on policies that advance the health and wellbeing of Maine’s youth.”

For 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has provided a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Boys & Girls Clubs programming promotes academic success, good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles. There are 16 programs across Maine that serve over 11,100 youth.

As a senior appropriator, Senator Collins secured $650,000 in the draft Fiscal Year 2022 Housing Appropriations bill to support the construction of a new youth center and sports facility for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kennebec Valley. The project would provide safe, quality, reliable child care and youth programs for children ages six weeks to high school, as well as serve as a senior citizen center.

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