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Youth services coalition urges $2 million to restore middle‑school out‑of‑school programs; commissioners consider local match
Summary
A coalition of youth nonprofit providers told commissioners about a coalition model and asked the county to support expanded middle‑ and high‑school programming. Providers said $2 million locally could restore middle‑school coverage across district schools; commissioners discussed district funding and possible matching by commissioners.
Representatives from a coalition of youth nonprofits asked the Bernalillo County Commission on Jan. 28 to increase county support for out‑of‑school time programming, saying the coalition can scale proven services for middle‑ and high‑school students if local funding is secured.
The coalition — including the Boys & Girls Clubs, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Junior Achievement, YMCA and Warehouse 505 — said it served more than 2,000 middle‑school students in a morning program last school year, and now provides after‑school programming at 12 of the district’s 27 middle schools. Colby Wilson of the Boys & Girls Clubs told the commission the coalition has a funding plan to expand programming and estimated that a $2 million county investment would restore or expand services to all APS middle schools and support other provider expansions.
Specific asks and details: Coalition speakers outlined program impacts (mentoring, recreation, workforce pathways and trauma‑informed care) and itemized funding needs they say would materially increase capacity: an $800,000 boost could double Junior Achievement reach, $800,000 could double Big Brothers Big Sisters school‑based matches, $800,000 could add YMCA middle‑school sites, Warehouse 505 requested $400,000 to scale a workforce program, and the Boys & Girls Clubs sought funds to sustain 12 sites beyond June.
Commission response: Commissioners praised prevention and mentoring work. Commissioner Barbara Baca proposed a district‑level match to $500,000 in city funds already committed by the Albuquerque City Council, suggesting each commissioner consider a $100,000 contribution to show local buy‑in and leverage state funding efforts. Commissioners asked staff to consider how county discretionary or district funds could be used and discussed coordinating advocacy for state legislative out‑of‑school time funding.
Why it matters: Coalition leaders argued middle school is a pivotal age where prevention and mentorship can reduce later harm and increase graduation and workforce readiness; commissioners said local and state alignment is needed to make multi‑year investments sustainable.
Next steps: Commissioners asked staff to include youth‑program options during upcoming budget discussions and to consider district funding matches. Coalition leaders also requested county advocacy on pending state out‑of‑school line items.
Speakers: Presenters included Colby Wilson (Boys & Girls Clubs), Aaron Hagenau (Junior Achievement), Angela Reed Padilla (Big Brothers Big Sisters), Terry Gonzalez (Warehouse 505) and Roberto Aguirre (YMCA).
