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CITY OF ALBANY N E W Y O R K A L B A N Y C O M M O N C O U N C I L www.albanyny.gov January 2, 2020 Albany Community Development Agency 200 Henry Johnson Blvd. Albany, NY 12210 Dear Community Development Block Grant RFP Committee, I am writing to express my continued support for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area to receive continued Community Block Grant funding for their Junior Staff Program. I have seen firsthand, the Club’s positive influence on our youth and the entire community. The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area works to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. They serve a wide range of young people, including vulnerable teens that need an outlet like the Club to support them on their path towards success. During the school year, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area opens its Delaware Avenue Teen Center to any interested teenagers within our community. This provides inner-city youth with an opportunity to participate in sports and recreation, college and career access programs, workforce development, and character and leadership experiences. The Club aims to provide a safe and supportive atmosphere where youth can establish special friendships, interact with adult mentors and be the champion of their own personal growth. Furthermore, each Club member is provided a nutritious snack and balanced dinner on a daily basis. All of these experiences are provided at no cost to its Teen Members. In an effort to ensure that teens are fully prepared to enter the workforce or apply to college, the Club’s Junior Staff Program provides youth with: job training, soft and hard skill development, career exploration, decision making skill development and leadership development. Teens participate in hands-on internships at the Club over the course of three months with a focus on job training, customer service, and job etiquette. Each Junior Staff member participates in weekly training on areas such as resume writing, interviewing, written/verbal communication, and financial literacy with a focus on money management. Program participants also attend guest speaking events and career exploration activities. Each teen that meets the internship requirements is given a financial stipend. All Junior Staff members attend a college tour in May and meet with academic advisors to learn about campus life, financial aid, and academic course options. Room 202, City Hall Albany, New York 12207 Telephone (518) 434-5087 Fax: (518) 434-5081 ---PAGE BREAK--- Giving our teenagers an opportunity to develop job readiness skills while enhancing their self- esteem and sense of belonging within our community is a genuinely priceless gift. To this end, we hope you strongly consider continuing to fund the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area in supporting our local community. Thank you for helping us transforms the lives of our youth. Respectfully yours, CITY OF ALBANY COMMON COUNCIL Council President, Hon. Corey Ellis Council President Pro Tempore, Ward 4. Hon. Kelly Kimbrough Council Majority Leader, Ward 13. Hon. Ginnie Farrell Council Member, Ward 1. Hon. Sonia Frederick Council Member, Ward 2. Hon. Derek Johnson Council Member, Ward 3. Hon. Joyce Love Council Member, Ward 5. Hon. Jahmel Robinson Council Member, Ward 6. Hon. Richard Conti Council Member, Ward 8. Hon. Jack Council Member, Ward 9. Hon. Judy Doesschate Council Member, Ward 10. Hon. Owusu Anane Council Member, Ward 11. Hon. Alfredo Balarin Council Member, Ward 12. Hon. Michael O’Brien Council Member, Ward 15. Hon. Tom Hoey