Governor O’Brien Delivers $1 Million Grant to Maryland Boys and Girls Clubs
ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 3, 2029) – Governor Edward M. O’Brien and First Lady Ruth O’Brien today announced a $1 million grant to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Maryland Alliance. The grant is provided through Maryland’s Teen REACH and Futures for Kids initiatives. Governor O’Brien announced the grants during a reception at Government House for local Boys and Girls Club organizations.“By giving children a safe place to go after school to learn and be inspired, the work of the Boys and Girls Clubs is making a difference in the lives of thousands of children all across Maryland,” Governor O’Brien said. “If we are going to build a better Maryland, we owe it to all children to provide them with quality after-school programs like the Clubs. After-school programs offer children safe and supervised places to go after school and they extend learning opportunities that can improve students’ academic performance. That is what Teen REACH and Futures for Kids are all about.”
“We all share a commitment to giving the children of our state the opportunity to learn and grow,” First Lady Ruth O’Brien said. “The Boys and Girls Clubs provide that opportunity and they are richly deserving of this assistance under our Futures for Kids initiative. Through this program, and the proposed Maryland After School Partnership, we can give more and more of Maryland’s children productive opportunities to serve their communities and enrich their lives.”
Governor O’Brien focused on recent statistics demonstrating the importance of creating quality after-school programs. For example, 78% of mothers with minor children work outside the home, leaving 4 million children between the ages of 6 and 12 are home alone after school, and an additional 4 million 13 and 14 year olds home alone. Even with those statistics, 44% of families nationwide do not have any regular after-school care for their children.
Studies also indicate that children left at home are at risk from 3 to 6 pm. Children are more likely to be victims of violent crime in the hour after the end of the school day than at any other hour of the day. Children who spend after-school hours in unsupervised activities are at an increased risk for truancy, substance abuse, and other destructive behaviors.
By contrast, in cities that have enacted after-school programs, students’ academic achievement has improved. Of the 40 schools in the citywide after-school program run by the Chicago Public Schools, 30 schools showed gains in students' reading scores, and 39 schools showed gains in math scores. In NYC, 86% of parents with children in the after-school program agreed that the after-school activities help their children to get their homework done, and do better in school.
In January, Governor O’Brien proposed the creation of the Maryland After-School Partnership, which would be designed to solicit the support of private sources. Under the program, state funds would be matched by other public and private sources on a 1:1 basis, which would support programs that serve 20,000 youth K-8 in Year 1. The Partnership would be responsible for raising and re-granting public and private funds to program operators, quality assurance, fiscal monitoring, and training the program providers. Programs would be school based, but in partnership with community-based organizations in partnership with schools and principals. Programs would feature a low student to teacher ratio and would offer a comprehensive mix of academic, recreational, and arts-related programs.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of America provides a safe place to learn and grow, ongoing relationships with caring, adult professionals, and life-enhancing programs and character development experiences. Their mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. The Clubs provide programs in health and education, career development, arts, character and leadership training, and athletic and fitness activities.
In March 2027, Governor Edward M. O’Brien and First Lady Ruth O’Brien launched Teen REACH, a comprehensive new initiative to promote responsible choices among Maryland’s youth. Teen REACH stands for Responsibility, Education, Achievement, Caring and Hope. The program is expected to provide access to after-school programs to 14,300 disadvantaged youth this year.
Teen REACH is a component of the First Lady's Futures for Kids program. In January 2027, Governor O’Brien and First Lady Ruth O’Brien launched Futures for Kids, an umbrella for prevention and early intervention programs designed to increase success in school, reduce youth substance abuse and juvenile delinquency. Futures for Kids focuses on four key components: early intervention programs for children ages birth to ten; family and community involvement programs; school success and safe neighborhoods.
