Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle Graciously Thanks Elected Officials Whose Energized Advocacy Restored Federal Funding for After-School and Summer Programs

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., Aug. 25, 2025 – About 450 Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle youths will continue to benefit from life-changing after-school and summer programs now that the federal government has released 21st Century Community Learning Center funds. Restoration of the vitally needed grants was inspired by powerful, persistent advocacy by Westchester County elected officials who were thanked by Boys & Girls Club CEO Becky Mazzanobile on behalf of Club youths, families and staff.

“The loss of these transformative programs, funded by a $911,000 grant, would have been devastating,” Mazzanobile said. “However, our lower Westchester County elected officials embraced the exceptional importance of seeding futures for our youths. They jumped into action with a full-on strategic advocacy blitz. Their efforts paid off, and we are exceptionally grateful for their care, energy and investment in our youths’ futures.”

The elected representatives received hundreds of phone calls and impassioned emails from Westchester residents, all asking the representatives to do all they could to secure the federal Department of Education’s release of the funds. The representatives, who heard touching personal stories of rewarding Boys & Girls Club programs changing lives, worked the phones, held press conferences, made personal appeals and exhausted every other method of communication that conveyed how Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle youths were working hard to shape their futures.

On June 30, 2025, the federal Department of Education said 21st Century funding would not be distributed – as it had been for decades. That money, already appropriated by Congress, represented a decades-long, bipartisan investment in youth development. Overall, almost a million and a half youths across the country would have lost out on crucial support – and Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle staff layoffs, and elsewhere as well, were a grave but real possibility.

Then, on July 18, 2025, a weeks-long groundswell of urgency inspired welcomed news: Shifting federal budget priorities restored 21st Century funding. Middle and high school students will continue to benefit from no-cost, extended-day enrichment that bridges the gap between school and home, offering structure, support and opportunity during critical hours of the day.

Youths will:
• receive support for their academic success in school.
• benefit from career development training.
• be assisted in college preparation.
• see their maturity aided by character-building programming and resources.
• gain the advantages, personally and academically, from other important Boys & Girls Club initiatives funded by this 21st Century grant.

“Together, as one, we made a difference for our youths to support their growth today and possibilities for tomorrow,” Mazzanobile said. “Through this advocacy, our youths experienced wonderful lessons – the importance of focused collaboration, the opportunity to be seen and heard, and how incredible vision can power youths’ pathways to realize their dreams.”

Data from the 2024–2025 program year reflect that impact. More than 70% of students who were chronically absent in the prior school year showed improved attendance after participating in 21st Century programming. In addition, 94% of students met or exceeded the required engagement threshold of 15 hours, demonstrating the program’s role in re-engaging students and strengthening academic connections.

Numerous elected officials were thrilled to learn their advocacy resulted in continued investments in youths’ futures:

• United States Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand: “Withholding funding for vital before- and after-school programs would have had a devastating impact on children and families in New York and across the country,” she said. “I’m proud that, thanks to our bipartisan advocacy, these critical funds were released, allowing students in New Rochelle and across the state to continue benefiting from the high-quality, out-of-school programs that help them thrive. I’ll always advocate for the needs of our students, educators and families — and work to ensure their success isn’t put at risk.”

• Congressman George Latimer: “With school starting soon, the Administration has lifted its hold on Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers funding that Congress had already appropriated. I joined my Democratic colleagues to push for the funds to be distributed the way they have for many years,” he said. “This funding is critically important to the Boys & Girls Club in New Rochelle that provides life-changing after-school and summer programs to local young people. These young people deserve every chance to succeed, and this funding is important to that mission.”

• New York State Sen. Nathalia Fernandez: “There’s something powerful about watching a community come together and refuse to give up on its kids,” she said. “Because of our determination, hundreds of young people in New Rochelle will walk into spaces that appreciate them, support them and believe in their potential. I’m honored to have stood with the community — and I’ll keep showing up every time our students’ futures are on the line.”

• New York State Sen. Shelley B. Mayer: “After-school and summer programs offer indispensable educational experiences, opportunities for play and sports, and mentorship that help students grow and thrive. The federal government’s effort to withhold this appropriated funding from the 21st Century Community Learning Centers was unlawful and would have been devastating for hundreds of families and children in our community,” Mayer said. “I am proud to support and advocate for after-school programs and I am pleased that the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle will receive the funding it was granted. This never should have happened, and I would like to thank my colleagues at all levels of government who advocated for the release of this funding. I extend my gratitude to Becky Mazzanobile and her staff for their unwavering support and commitment to our community.”

• New York State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin: “The Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle has always been a beacon of opportunity and support for our youth, and I was proud to join my colleagues in fighting to restore this critical funding. These programs change lives and help students succeed, and every child deserves that chance,” she said.

• New York State Assemblyman Steven Otis: “Congratulations to the team effort of community leaders and elected officials in making sure that the 21st Century Grant funding remains in place. Having advocated for 21st Century Grants for Westchester school districts and groups for many years, I know how vital the supplemental programs are to the educational success and personal growth of each student. 21st Century programs are essential to assisting every student in fulfilling their dreams. Special thanks go to New Rochelle’s federal representatives, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Sen. Gillibrand, and Congressman Latimer, for this important win in a difficult environment in Washington.”

• New Rochelle Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert: “The future of New Rochelle is our children, and 21st Century funding restoration means vital after-school and summer programs will continue to empower youths academically while advancing their character, judgment and maturity,” she said. “These are important building blocks for successful educational and career journeys, and I’m proud that New Rochelle’s voice was one of many advocating for our youths.”

• City School District of New Rochelle Superintendent Dr. Corey W. Reynolds: “Quality after-school enrichment programs are essential for our students, good for families and good for our community, providing a safe space for children to continue learning and exploring new interests in the time between school and parents’ arrival at home,” he said. “The programs give parents peace of mind, knowing that their children are well cared for, and it boosts academic achievement in our students. They also promote social-emotional well-being, health and fitness. I am a proud supporter of our 21st Century Community Learning Center grant-funded programs and grateful that these vital funds have been restored for our children.”

• Westchester County Legislator Terry Clements: “There is no better place to invest than in our youth,” he said. “I look forward to seeing the Boys & Girls Club continue its important work and expand their programs.”

For 95 years, Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle has been an integral part of the community, offering quality, achievement-driven programming encompassing academics, mental wellness, fitness, leadership and civics. Today, it is one of Westchester County’s largest nonprofits and a leader in youth development, serving over 10,000 youths annually at 12 school sites and two clubhouses.

Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle’s impactful before-school, after-school, elective and summer offerings empower members to excel in school, become good citizens, and lead healthy, productive lives while effectively bridging the gap between school and home. Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle is proud to be affiliated with Boys & Girls Club of America, widely considered as both the leading youth organization and among the top nonprofits in the United States. Learn more at BGCNR.org.