Mayor Muriel Bowser and the DC City Council have cut funding for the Jelleff Boys and Girls Club while the facility is renovated. Jelleff needs the budget in order to pay for temporary space over the next year or two. Each year, more than 1,500 kids come to Jelleff, and cuts in funding will mean that these kids will have NO place to go after school or during the summer.

We see the impact Jelleff has on the community from watching all of the kids at the center after school when we played basketball in the gym with friends. Our younger brothers play in the winter basketball league, and we work as scorekeepers for the weekend games. The Jelleff Boys and Girls Club is a vital resource for our youth, providing them with a safe space to learn, grow, and stay active.

Cutting its funding would deprive many children of these opportunities. According to data from Boys & Girls Clubs of America, clubs like Jelleff help improve academic performance, reduce risky behaviors, and promote healthy lifestyles among young people (bgca.org). We urge Mayor Muriel Bowser to reconsider any budget cuts that would affect this essential community hub while the facility undergoes a much-needed renovation.

Please sign this petition to ensure continued support for our youth through adequate funding for Jelleff Boys & Girls Club!