BY DEBORAH MARTINEZ MARTINEZ
Over 2,100 Pueblo children and teens receive services from the nine Clubhouses and three extension sites at Boys & Girls Clubs of Pueblo County. Some parents use the clubs as out-of-school-time care and some embrace the opportunity for their kids to be active and engaged, according to Angela Giron, President/CEO.
Six of the nine clubhouses receive federal funding for 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) monies. They are Eastside Clubhouse (Risley MS), Westside Clubhouse (Irving ES), Ray Aguilera Teen Center, (Central HS), Pueblo Academy of Arts (formerly Pitts MS), Minnequa (Minnequa (ES), and Liberty Point International MS. The Cesar Chavez Clubhouse moved to Irving Elementary after the announced closure of Chavez Huerta Preparatory Academy this summer.
The three additional sites are: Avondale, Sprague, and Prairie Winds (hybrid). Only the middle school is funded by 21st Century.
President Trump recommended to congress, who is the entity that passes the budget annually, $0 funding for 21st Century, Giron said. “We receive close to 1 million dollars annually, if congress takes President Trump’s recommendation, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Pueblo County will be a different organization beginning July 1, 2026.
Despite threatened funding, the local Boys & Girls Clubs provide unequalled opportunities for participants.
Student Elaine Tennant joined the Club five years ago. She explained, “I wanted to use my free time after school more productively from field trips to community service events, every moment has been meaningful.”
She says her most memorable activity was traveling to Georgia to to attend the Boys & Girls Club of American National Keystone Conference, a leadership club for high school members. It was the first time I had ever left home in my 18 years of life, and the trip opened my eyes to a whole new world.”
“Our annual budget is 5 million dollars,” Giron said, “with one million in federal funding in jeopardy which supports the 21st Century Community Learning Center Clubhouses our organization will look a lot different and won’t be able to serve the 2,700+ kids and teens we were expected to serve in 2026.”
For young people, such as Sylvia Tennant, the 2024 Youth of the Year, the clubhouses at the ground level mean a safe place to belong. “The Club has provided me countless opportunities to grow as a leader and with many mentors who believed in me even when I didn’t always believe in myself,” Sylvia said.
According to Giron, the programmatic review was looking at diversity, equity and inclusion language in the grants. The funding works with schools that are high poverty, underperforming, and with a significant number of children from communities of color, she said. Funds were withheld by the Trump administration but released in July 28, 2025.
Twenty-first Century is the only federal funding stream for after-school and summer programs. U.S. Department of Education notified state education agencies that their FY2025 (July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026) funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers after-school and summer programs would be withheld pending a programmatic review.
According to Bernie Esquibel-Tennant, “As a parent, Boys & Girls Club is a safe, constructive place for students to be able to find their own individuality while parents work. In addition,” she said, “It’s a proactive way to use funding. It’s got a proven formula for working in a structured place, learning about community, and career exploration.”
“The Club is for all people, all walks of life — truly inclusive of all people,” she said. “My two girls went to a presentation for Kamala Harris, and spoke on funding for the Club to City Council.”
For next fiscal year, July 1, 2026, to June 2027, the federal administration is proposing $0 for 21st CCLC which is what Trump is recommending to congress. This would be devastating to out of school time programs across this country.
“Although the Clubs receive funds from 63 grants, including Packard, and Caring for Colorado,” Giron said, “We will probably be looking at some closures for next year.”
“We are needing individuals to donate monthly,” she said. “If you love Pueblo and want our community to thrive, we need to invest in young people and they best way to invest in kids is through the Boys & Girls Club.”
Two events are planned for September and October. “The East Side Club at Risley International Magnet School (624 N. Monument Ave.) will offer a free lunch (11:45-1 p.m.), and tour for “Building Great Futures” on Fri., Sept. 26.”
At the Pueblo West site at Prairie Winds Elementary, breakfast will be offered with a tour of the progam (579 E. Earl Dr.) on Oct. 17 from 7:45-9 a.m. Register with Cheryl Califano at Cherylc@bgcPueblo.org.