Orange Lawmaker Named "Champion to Youth"

From the Connecticut General Assembly:

HARTFORD, CT- The Connecticut Boys and Girls Club held their annual Youth of the Year dinner at the state capitol this week, recognizing volunteers and club members for exemplary work in their communities. JaVonne Vereen of Milford was presented with a Youth of the Year award, and Senator Gayle Slossberg (D-Milford) received the “Champion to Youth” award.

“The Boys and Girls Club is an incredible organization that touches the lives of thousands of young Connecticut residents every year,” said Senator Slossberg. “It has been a pleasure to work alongside these great advocates and help them advance their mission. I am so proud of JaVonne Vereen for being named a statewide Youth of the Year. It makes the recognition all the more meaningful. I am very grateful to receive this honor and even more grateful to advocate on behalf of such a wonderful organization.”

The Connecticut Boys and Girls Club thanked Senator Slossberg for her continued support of their work in Milford and throughout Connecticut by passing legislation and securing funding. This year she helped defeat a legislative proposal that would have cost the Boys and Girls Club millions of dollars and made the clubs inaccessible to many kids throughout Connecticut.

Since 1947, Youth of the Year has been Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier recognition program, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of Club teens. Club members who earn the Youth of the Year title embody the values of leadership service, academic excellence, and healthy lifestyles. The Youth of the Year exemplifies the critical impact that Boys & Girls Clubs have on the lives of young people.

Local Clubs select a Youth of the Year, who then participates in state competitions. State winners each receive a $5,000 scholarship and advance to regional competitions. Regional winners receive an additional $10,000 college scholarship, renewable for four years up to $40,000. Six youth, including five regional winners and a military winner, advance to the National Youth of the Year competition for a chance at an additional scholarship of $25,000, renewable up to $100,000 for four years. The National Youth of the Year represents all Boys & Girls Club youth.