House Republican Press Release

March 28, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Belden Honored by Boys & Girls Clubs

Shelton Legislator Selected as “Champion of Youth”

HARTFORD – State Representative Dick Belden (R-Shelton) was honored at a legislative breakfast this week by the Connecticut Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs, and named as one of their “Champions of Youth.”  Belden was recognized for his years of work with Boys and Girls Clubs across the state, especially the successful club in Shelton.

“I am deeply honored to be recognized by the Boys and Girls Clubs with this award,” said Belden.  “I am very proud of the work I have done with their organization, and I especially look forward to working with them on future projects.  They have a proven track record as a safe place for boys and girls to learn, play, and socially interact.”

Belden noted that the Shelton Boys and Girls Club has plans of refurbishing a former school building in Ansonia as an annex to their club, adding capacity for their programs and making those programs available to residents in another town.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of America have their origins in Connecticut.  Founded in Hartford in 1860 to help needy boys and give them an alternative to roaming streets, the clubs affiliated in 1906, becoming the Boys Clubs of America in 1931.  The organization received a Congressional charter in 1956, and officially became the Boys and Girls Club of America in 1990.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Connecticut run 16 organizations with fifty facilities, providing service to over 40,000 young people across the state.