JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 Leaders of Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida are warning that dozens of summer camps and year-round sites in our area could face disruptions or reductions in service.<\/p>\n
They said it\u2019s because of a federal funding freeze.<\/a> They are calling on federal leaders to immediately release approved 21st Century Community Learning Center funds.<\/p>\n Wyatt Parlette, the Vice President of Operations for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida, said as of July 1st, those federal dollars are now frozen.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the federal dollars that have helped us create 16 Boys and Girls Clubs; it represents 250 staff members,\u201d said Parlette. \u201cYou are looking at around 3,800 members.\u201d<\/p>\n [DOWNLOAD: <\/b>Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks<\/b><\/a>]<\/b><\/p>\n \u201cWhen I first heard about the freeze, it was very disheartening,\u201d said Monica Highman Roberts, a parent. <\/p>\n It\u2019s something summer and after-school programs are dealing with nationwide after the White House froze $6 billion in grants. They said it\u2019s part of a review to make sure the grants align with President Trump\u2019s policies.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is a lot of uncertainty right now, and what it represents is young people and communities that need us most,\u201d said Parlette. <\/p>\n The group said that without these funds, 926 clubs nationwide could be forced to close, displacing more than 220,000 children and eliminating nearly 6,000 jobs.<\/p>\n \u201cI am concerned about what\u2019s going to take place in this next phase with the Boys and Girls club,\u201d said Monica.<\/p>\n The White House has not said when the money could be unfrozen.<\/p>\n The Boys and Girls Club is urging people to contact members of Congress to get these funds distributed.<\/p>\n