Latest news with #Boys&GirlsClub
The South African
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The South African
The Weeknd receives city honours in Toronto
Abel Tesfaye, better known as The Weeknd, recently experienced a heartfelt return to his roots. On 26 July, the City of Toronto awarded him the Key to the City and declared the weekend as 'The Weeknd Weekend' in his honour. Local officials, community youth, and students from Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute, his former school, attended this private ceremony. Toronto's Mayor, Olivia Chow, praised the artist: 'Born in Toronto, Abel 'The Weeknd' Tesfaye represents the best of our city. From Scarborough to the global stage, he has reshaped modern R&B music as a multi-platinum, Diamond-certified artist, according to People . He uses his platform to create a lasting impact for Toronto and around the world.' She highlighted not only his musical achievements but also his ongoing commitment to positive change. The Weeknd addressed the gathering with gratitude. 'I'm deeply honoured to receive the Key to the City. It feels good to be home. Toronto is where I found my voice, and I'm committed to helping the next generation find theirs.' His connection to the city remains strong, as he continues to invest in its future. The singer revealed ambitious plans for community development. He will help revitalise a basketball court and build a mobile recording studio for the Boys & Girls Club of West Scarborough. Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute will also receive a new dance and arts studio, plus a sensory room for learners with developmental disabilities. Tesfaye's philanthropic commitment stretches far beyond Canada's borders. Since 2020, he has donated over R182 million to humanitarian causes globally. The Weeknd, who performs a series of homecoming shows in Toronto, has also achieved recent music milestones. Earlier this year, he became the highest-grossing Black male artist to perform at MetLife Stadium, according to Live Nation. His global influence underscores the potential for artists to bridge communities worldwide. Refusing to rest on his laurels, he shared with Variety, 'I don't think I can stop doing that. But everything needs to feel like a challenge.' He emphasised his desire to keep evolving and contributing. Tesfaye's example shows how one can give back, inspire young people, and remain ambitious, no matter the stage. His story is a compelling reminder for audiences in South Africa and beyond that roots, resilience, and reach matter in shaping a legacy. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Happy Gilmore 2: All about celebrity guests, golfers, and comedy legends who played cameos
Happy Gilmore 2 will debut on Netflix on Friday, July 25th. Adam Sandler is back as Happy in the second installment of Happy Gilmore, releasing after nearly three decades. Adam Sandler is back as Happy in the second installment of Happy Gilmore, releasing after nearly three decades. It's a story of a failed hockey player who goes on to become a golf sensation, Happy Gilmore, after he stunned the world by defeating top pro Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald) in the 1996 Tour Championship. After he wins the championship, he secures his first gold jacket and wins back his beloved grandma's house. Happy Gilmore 2 was released on July 25, 2025 (Friday), and is available on Netflix. The sequel in the franchise reveals how Happy's life has unfolded over the last three decades. Despite not being critically acclaimed, the original Happy Gilmore was widely regarded as one of the most enduring comedy and sports classics of the '90s, drawing in numerous comedy legends, famous sports figures, and other well-known names for the sequel. Steve BuscemiAfter Happy loses his grandma's old house for a second time after his wife Virginia's (Julie Bowen) death, he and daughter Vienna (Sandler's daughter Sunny Sandler) have to move to a rougher part of town, where an odd neighbor, played by longtime Sandler friend Buscemi (who's appeared in over 15 of Sandler's movies), keeps a close watch on what they're up to. Jackie Sandler Jackie Sandler, Adam Sandler's real-life wife, essayed the role of Vienna's Boys & Girls Club dance instructor Monica. She secures Happy's daughter, Vienna, a highly coveted spot at the Paris Opera Ballet School by submitting a tape of her dancing. Ken Jennings Ken Jennings, the host of Jeopardy!, also has a small and quick cameo in that exact role when Vienna pulls up a clip from the quiz show where Jennings reads out a clue with Happy as the answer: 'With his amazing long drives and hockey player's temper, this golfer won the first of his six Tour Championships in 1996.'The contestants, Unfortunately, are puzzled and quickly give wrong answers: 'Happy Goldberg,' 'Happy Gudenstein,' and 'Skippy Goldenbaum.' John Daly In the world of Happy Gilmore, it makes sense that the unconventional golf legend Daly, a real-life fan favorite known for his bold style and rebellious attitude that changed pro golf, would spend his retirement living in Happy's garage. Kelsey Plum and Andrew Watt When Happy shows up at the municipal golf course to try out his swing after ten years of being inactive and drinking, the course starters are played by WNBA star Plum and Grammy-winning producer Watt—who's known for working with the Rolling Stones, Elton John, Ozzy Osbourne, Pearl Jam, and others, and has been called the Rock Hall of Fame whisperer. Margaret Qualley, Eric André, and Martin Herlihy Happy is paired with three amateurs at the municipal course who believe that just one lesson at the Golf Hut will totally change their game. Sally, Steiner, and Fitzy are played by The Substance star Qualley, comedian André, and Saturday Night Live's Please Don't Destroy troupe member Herlihy, respectively. Dan Patrick The host of Sports Hole with Pat Daniels, who reports on Happy's drunken antics at the municipal course, is played by sportscaster and radio host Patrick, who is also the real-life host of The Dan Patrick Show. Tim Herlihy, Nelly Korda, and Nancy Lopez The parole board at Westford State Mental Hospital, which decides Shooter isn't fit for release, consists of Drs. Hertz, Young, and Silver—that is, Happy Gilmore co-writer Herlihy (father of Martin mentioned earlier), current top-ranked LPGA golfer Korda, and former LPGA star Lopez. Jonathan Loughran Jonathan Loughran, another longtime member of Sandler's movie crew, appears as the "crazy eye orderly" who finally lets Shooter return to public life after spending 29 years in a mental institution. Sadie Sandler Happy's main ally at the Healing Alkies for Life (H.A.L.) alcohol treatment program, Charlotte, is played by Sandler's older daughter, Sadie. Kym Whitley Bessie, the overly enthusiastic member of H.A.L. who doesn't seem to get that the support group is supposed to be anonymous, is played by comedian Kym Whitley. Ben Stiller Reprising his role from the first movie, Stiller is back in peak tormenter form as retirement home orderly-turned-addiction support group leader Hal L. Naturally, his preferred method of therapy still revolves around manual labor that saves him some time and effort in his own life. You're in his world now, Happy. Alix Earle, Sean Evans, Bobby Lee, Andrew Santino, Cam'ron, and Treasure Wilson The real-life hosts of Hot Mess, Hot Ones, Bad Friends, and Talk with Flee all invite Manatee as a guest during his press tour to promote Maxi Golf. Other cameos There are several more entertaining cameos from both celebrity guests and familiar faces from the sports and comedy worlds. Paige Spiranac appears as Wendy, helping Happy choose new golf clubs, and Blake Clark shows up as an old man trying (and failing) to assist with Happy's training on the beach. Dennis Dugan, who directed the original movie, returns as Tour Championship commissioner Doug Thompson, while model Jon Lovett plays a 'dapper man' at the driving range, continually foiled by Happy's powerful legendary and current golf pros pop up during the film, like Fred Couples, Nick Faldo, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, and Jordan Spieth, among others, sharing the screen with Happy during key tournament scenes. Travis Kelce makes a memorable appearance as a waiter trying to impress the golfers, and Bad Bunny gives Oscar, a busboy turned caddy, plenty of personality. Verne Lundquist and Jack Giarraputo again team up as Tour Championship announcers, and stars like Kevin Nealon, Rob Schneider, Stephen A. Smith, and Post Malone step into fun, often quirky roles. The movie also boasts celebrity cameos from names like Marcello Hernandez, Boban Marjanović, and Guy Fieri, who add their comedic flavors to the story. There are even more wild moments with athletes like Reggie Bush, Rebecca Quin, Nikki Garcia, and, in true 'Happy Gilmore' fashion, Eminem, who drops a classic insult before being thrown into an alligator pond.
Time Magazine
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Magazine
Every Cameo in 'Happy Gilmore 2'
Warning: This post contains spoilers for Happy Gilmore 2. It's been nearly 30 years since failed hockey player-turned-surprise golf sensation Happy Gilmore (Adam Sandler) stunned the world by defeating top pro Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald) in the 1996 Tour Championship, securing his first gold jacket and winning back his beloved grandma's house. Now, Sandler is reprising his role as the hot-headed but lovable Happy for Happy Gilmore 2, a long-awaited sequel that reveals how his life has turned out over the last three decades. Spoiler alert: Things haven't been great for Happy since he accidentally hit and killed his loving wife Virginia (Julie Bowen) with one of his all-too-powerful drives, leaving their four sons, Gordie (Maxwell Jacob Friedman), Bobby (Philip Schneider), Wayne (Ethan Cutkosky), and Terry (Conor Sherry), and daughter Vienna (Sandler's daughter Sunny Sandler), without a mother. After turning to booze, running out of money, and once again losing his now-late grandma's house, Happy is a shell of his former self. But when he returns to golf in an attempt to earn enough winnings to pay for Vienna's fancy ballet school, it sets him on a crash course to face off with shady businessman Frank Manatee (Benny Safdie), the creator of a new stunt-based rival golf league dubbed Maxi Golf, and Manatee's surgically-enhanced all-star Billy Jenkins (Haley Joel Osment). While the original Happy Gilmore wasn't a critical darling, it's widely considered one of the most enduring '90s comedy—and sports—classics. So it only makes sense the sequel would attract a multitude of comedy legends, prominent sports figures, and other notable names. Here, in order of appearance, are all the cameos in Happy Gilmore 2, now streaming on Netflix. Steve Buscemi When Happy loses grandma's old house for a second time following Virginia's death, he and Vienna are forced to move to a seedier part of town where an off-putting neighbor played by longtime Sandler pal Buscemi (who has appeared in more than 15 of the Sandman's films) keeps a close eye on their activities. Jackie Sandler Sandler's real-life wife takes on the role of Vienna's Boys & Girls Club dance instructor Monica, who secures Vienna a highly-coveted spot at the Paris Opera Ballet School by submitting a tape of her dancing. Ken Jennings The host of Jeopardy! makes a brief cameo in exactly that capacity when Vienna pulls up a clip from the quiz show in which Jennings reads out a clue to which Happy is the answer: "With his amazing long drives and hockey player's temper, this golfer won the first of his six Tour Championships in 1996." Unfortunately, the contestants are stumped, striking out with incorrect guesses of "Happy Goldberg," "Happy Gudenstein," and "Skippy Goldenbaum" in quick succession. John Daly In the world of Happy Gilmore, it's reasonable that unorthodox golf legend Daly (a real-life fan-favorite whose bold style and anti-establishment attitude changed the dynamic of professional golf) would be spending his retirement living in Happy's garage. Kelsey Plum and Andrew Watt When Happy arrives at the municipal golf course to test out his swing after a decade of inactivity and boozing, the starters working the course are portrayed by WNBA star Plum and Grammy-winning record producer Watt (who's known for his collaborations with the Rolling Stones, Elton John, Ozzy Osbourne, Pearl Jam, and more, and has been referred to as the Rock Hall of Fame whisperer). Margaret Qualley, Eric André, and Martin Herlihy At the municipal course, Happy is grouped with three amateurs who are under the impression that a single lesson at Golf Hut will be a serious game-changer. Sally, Steiner, and Fitzy are played by The Substance star Qualley, comedian André, and Saturday Night Live's Please Don't Destroy in-house sketch troupe member Herlihy, respectively. Dan Patrick The host of Sports Hole with Pat Daniels, who breaks the news of Happy's drunken hijinks at the municipal course, is played by sportscaster and radio personality Patrick, the real-life host of The Dan Patrick Show. Tim Herlihy, Nelly Korda, and Nancy Lopez The parole board at the Westford State Mental Hospital that deems Shooter unfit for release is made up of Drs. Hertz, Young, and Silver—a.k.a. Happy Gilmore co-writer Herlihy (father of the aforementioned Martin), current #1 ranked golfer on the LPGA Tour Korda, and former LPGA superstar Lopez. Jonathan Loughran Another longtime member of Sandler's film entourage, Loughran pops up as the so-called "crazy eye orderly" who eventually releases Shooter back into public life after his 29-year stint in a mental institute. Sadie Sandler Charlotte, Happy's main ally at the Healing Alkies for Life (H.A.L.) alcohol treatment program, is played by Sandler's older daughter Sadie. Clearly, Sandler loves a family affair. Kym Whitley Bessie, the overenthusiastic member of H.A.L. who doesn't seem to understand the support group is intended to be anonymous, is brought to life by comedian Whitley. Ben Stiller Reprising his role from the first movie, Stiller is back in peak tormenter form as retirement home orderly-turned-addiction support group leader Hal L. Naturally, his preferred method of therapy still revolves around manual labor that saves him some time and effort in his own life. You're in his world now, Happy. Alix Earle, Sean Evans, Bobby Lee, Andrew Santino, Cam'ron, and Treasure Wilson The real-life hosts of Hot Mess, Hot Ones, Bad Friends, and Talk with Flee all bring on Manatee as a guest during his press circuit to promote Maxi Golf. Read More: Benny Safdie on Playing the Villain in Happy Gilmore 2 Paige Spiranac Model and former pro golfer Spiranac briefly appears as Wendy, a Dick's Sporting Goods employee who helps Happy pick out some new clubs. Blake Clark Clark, another Sandler movie regular, shows up as the old man on the beach who makes a poor attempt at assisting with Happy's training. Jon Lovett Credited simply as "dapper man," Lovett's hits at the driving range are continually thwarted by Happy decimating his balls with his own much-more-powerful drives. Dennis Dugan Dugan, the director of the original Happy Gilmore, is back in his role as Tour Championship commissioner Doug Thompson for the sequel. The Tour Champions Dinner pros If there's one thing Happy Gilmore 2 is chock-full of, it's professional golf cameos. During the Tour Champions dinner scene, retired golf legends Fred Couples, Nick Faldo, Jack Nicklaus, Corey Pavin, and Lee Trevino (of "Grizzly Adams did have a beard" fame from the original) are all seated at or near Happy's table. Current pros Jordan Spieth, Xander Schauffele, Rickie Fowler, Keegan Bradley, and Collin Morikawa are also in the room. Travis Kelce Kansas City Chiefs tight end and Taylor Swift boyfriend Kelce shows off his acting chops as a waiter at the Tour Champions Dinner who makes a big show out of wanting to impress the golfers. Bad Bunny Busboy-turned-caddy Oscar is more than a cameo role, but we're including him here anyway since he's played by global reggaeton phenom Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio—or as most know him, Bad Bunny. Verne Lundquist and Jack Giarraputo Once again playing himself, sportscaster Lundquist pairs back up with his fictional partner Jack Beard (played by Happy Gilmore producer Giarraputo) to announce the Tour Championship. The Tour Championship golfers Pro golfers Tony Finau, Will Zalatoris (the caddy Happy chokes out in the original), Justin Thomas, Bubba Watson, Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau, Rory McIlroy, and Brooks Koepka all play alongside Happy in the U.S. Bank Tour Championship. Scheffler, DeChambeau, McIlroy, and Koepka later join Happy in the battle against the Maxi League golfers. Kevin Nealon Nealon's Gary Potter, Happy's onetime course partner who famously advised him to send his ball home in the first movie, now apparently works as a correspondent for the Tour Championship. Rob Schneider In Happy's new and improved happy place fantasy, Schneider takes over the role of the tricycle cowboy and cheers Happy on with a rendition of his famous "You can do it!" line from The Waterboy, another beloved Sandler joint. Marcello Hernandez SNL cast member Hernandez joins in the fun as Oscar's eccentric cousin Esteban—and volunteers to be pelted with golf balls by the pros as part of a training exercise. Stephen A. Smith Sports analyst Smith appears as himself to deliver some of his signature over-the-top commentary on Happy's unexpected two days of success—and eventual third-day failure—at the Tour Championship. Boban Marjanović Some retconning of a scene from the first movie allows for Happy to feasibly recall Marjanović's Drago Larson, the son of Happy's old construction boss Mr. Larson (the late Richard Kiel) who has once again shown up to support Happy on the course. Oh, and Drago's mother Judy just so happens to be played by Sandler's mom (also named Judy). Robert Smigel Smigel's IRS agent, who repossessed Happy's grandma's house in the first movie and was subsequently thrown through a glass door, returns as a lawyer who takes on Happy's case after he runs into trouble at the Tour Championship. Lavell Crawford Comedian and Breaking Bad alum Crawford appears as Slim Peterson, the son of Happy's late mentor Chubbs (the late Carl Weathers) who also sports a prosthetic hand and helps the Tour Championship pros train to defeat the Maxi golfers. Post Malone Rapper Post Malone takes on the mantle of DJ Omar Gosh, the third announcer at the Maxi Tour Challenge alongside the tried-and-true Verne Lundquist and Jack Beard. The Maxi League golfers In addition to Billy, Manatee's team of clownish Maxi League contenders is made up of Harley (actor Oliver Hudson), Screech (actor Fernando Marrero), 8 Ball (former NFL star Reggie Bush), Flex (pro wrestler Rebecca Quin), and Medusa (pro wrestler Nikki Garcia). Guy Fieri The starter at the Maxi Tour Challenge is none other than Food Network icon Fieri. Because who else would it be? Eminem When Manatee realizes Happy and his fellow pros aren't going down easy, he calls in some backup in the form of the son of Shooter's Sizzler-loving lackey Donald (the late Joe Flaherty) from the original. Naturally, this role belongs to Eminem, who gets out a good ol-fashioned "Jackass!" before Happy's sons toss him into an alligator-infested water hazard.
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Business Standard
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Over 20 states sue Trump admin over frozen funding for school programmes
More than 20 states have sued President Donald Trump's administration over billions of dollars in frozen funding for after-school and summer programmes and more other programmes. Aiden Cazares is one of 1.4 million children and teenagers around the country who have been attending after-school and summer programming at a Boys & Girls Club, the YMCA or a public school for free thanks to federal taxpayers. Congress set aside money for the programmes to provide academic support, enrichment and child care to mostly low-income families, but President Donald Trump's administration recently froze the funding. The money for the 21st Century Community Learning Centres is among more than $6 billion in federal education grants Trump's Republican administration has withheld, saying it wants to ensure recipients' programs align with the president's priorities. After-school programmes for the fall are in jeopardy In Rhode Island, the state stepped in with funding to keep the summer programs running, according to the Boys & Girls Club of East Providence. Other Boys & Girls Clubs supported by the grants have found ways to keep open their summer programs, said Sara Leutzinger, vice president for communications for the Boys & Girls Club of America. But there isn't the same hope for the after-school programming for the fall. Some of the 926 Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide that run 21st Century Community Learning summer and after-school programs stand to close if the Trump administration doesn't release the money in the next three to five weeks, Leutzinger said. The YMCA and Save the Children say many of the centres they run are also at risk of shuttering. Time is of the essence, said Christy Gleason, executive director of Save the Children Action Network, which provides after-school programming for 41 schools in rural areas in Washington state and across the South, where school will begin as soon as August. It's not too late to make a decision so the kids who really need this still have it. Schools in Republican-led areas are particularly affected by the freeze in federal education grants. Ninety-one of the 100 school districts that receive the most money from four frozen grant programs are in Republican congressional districts, according to an analysis from New America, a left-leaning think tank. Of those top 100 school districts, half are in four states: California, West Virginia, Florida and Georgia. New America's analysis used funding levels reported in 2022 in 46 states. Republican officials have been among the educators criticizing the grant freeze. I deeply believe in fiscal responsibility, which means evaluating the use of funds and seeking out efficiencies, but also means being responsible releasing funds already approved by Congress and signed by President Trump," said Georgia schools superintendent Richard Woods, an elected Republican. In Georgia, we're getting ready to start the school year, so I call on federal funds to be released so we can ensure the success of our students. The Office of Management and Budget said some grants supported left-wing causes, pointing to services for immigrants in the country illegally or LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts. Summer clubs provide instruction for children At the East Providence summer camp, Aiden, a rising third grader, played tag, built structures with magnetic tiles, played a fast-paced game with the other kids to review addition and subtraction, learned about pollination, watched a nature video and ate club-provided chicken nuggets. Veteran teachers from his school corrected him when he spoke without raising his hand and offered common-sense advice when a boy in his group said something inappropriate. When someone says something inappropriate, you don't repeat it, teacher Kayla Creighton told the boys between answering their questions about horseflies and honeybees. Indeed, it's hard to find a more middle-of-the road organization in this country than the Boys & Girls Club. Just last month, a Republican and a Democrat sponsored a resolution in the US House celebrating the 165-year-old organization as a beacon of hope and opportunity. The Defence Department awarded the club $3 million in 1991 to support children left behind when their parents deployed for the Persian Gulf. And ever since, the Boys & Girls Club has created clubs on military installations to support the children of service members. Military families can sign up their kids for free. I suspect they will realize that most of those grants are fine and will release them, said Mike Petrilli, president of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, a conservative education policy think tank, speaking of the Trump administration's review of the 21st Century Community Learning Centre grants. But not everyone is so sure. Families see few affordable child care alternatives Aiden's mother has started looking into afternoon child care for September when kids return to school in Rhode Island. It costs $220 a week, Reyes said, her eyes expanding. I can't afford that. The single mother and state worker said she'll probably ask her 14-year-old son to stay home and watch Aiden. That will mean he would have to forgo getting a job when he turns 15 in the fall and couldn't play basketball and football. I don't have any other option, she said. At home, Aiden would likely stay inside on a screen. That would be heartbreaking since he's thrived getting tutoring and learning about healthy boundaries from the Boys & Girls Club programme, Reyes said. Fernande Berard learned about the funding freeze and possible closure from a reporter after dropping off her three young boys for summer camp. I would be really devastated if this goes away, said the nurse. I honestly don't know what I would do. Her husband drives an Uber much of the day, and picking up the kids early would eat into his earnings. It's money they need to pay the mortgage and everything else. If her boss approves, she'd likely have to pick up her children from school and take them to the rehabilitation centre where she oversees a team of nurses. The children would have to stay until her work day ends. It's hard to imagine, she said.
Chicago Tribune
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
More than 20 states sue Trump administration over frozen after-school and summer funding
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. — More than 20 states sued President Donald Trump's administration on Monday over billions of dollars in frozen education funding for after-school care, summer programs and more. Some of the withheld money funds after-school and summer programming at Boys & Girls Clubs, the YMCA or public schools, attended by 1.4 million children and teenagers nationwide. Congress set aside money for the programs to provide academic support, enrichment and child care to mostly low-income families. But Trump's administration recently froze the funding, saying it wants to ensure recipients' programs align with the Republican president's priorities. Led by California, the lawsuit alleges withholding the money violates the Constitution and several federal laws. Many low-income families will lose access to after-school programs if the money isn't released soon, according to the suit. In some states, school restarts in late July and early August. Darleen Reyes drove through a downpour last week to take her son to a free Boys & Girls Club day camp in East Providence, Rhode Island. She told camp administrators the flash flood warning would have kept her away, but her son insisted on going. Before kissing his mother goodbye, Aiden Cazares, 8, explained to a reporter, 'I wanted to see my friends and not just sit at home.' Then he ran off to play. In Rhode Island, the state stepped in with funding to keep the summer programs running, according to the Boys & Girls Club of East Providence. Other Boys & Girls Clubs supported by the grants have found ways to keep open their summer programs, said Sara Leutzinger, vice president for communications for the Boys & Girls Club of America. But there isn't the same hope for the after-school programming for the fall. Some of the 926 Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide that run 21st Century Community Learning summer and after-school programs stand to close if the Trump administration doesn't release the money in the next three to five weeks, Leutzinger said. The YMCA and Save the Children say many of the centers they run are also at risk of shuttering. 'Time is of the essence,' said Christy Gleason, executive director of the political arm of Save the Children, which provides after-school programming for 41 schools in rural areas in Washington state and across the South, where school will begin as soon as August. 'It's not too late to make a decision so the kids who really need this still have it.' Schools in Republican-led areas are particularly affected by the freeze in federal education grants. Ninety-one of the 100 school districts that receive the most money from four frozen grant programs are in Republican congressional districts, according to an analysis from New America, a left-leaning think tank. Of those top 100 school districts, half are in four states: California, West Virginia, Florida and Georgia. New America's analysis used funding levels reported in 2022 in 46 states. Republican officials have been among the educators criticizing the grant freeze. 'I deeply believe in fiscal responsibility, which means evaluating the use of funds and seeking out efficiencies, but also means being responsible — releasing funds already approved by Congress and signed by President Trump,' said Georgia schools superintendent Richard Woods, an elected Republican. 'In Georgia, we're getting ready to start the school year, so I call on federal funds to be released so we can ensure the success of our students.' The Office of Management and Budget said some grants supported left-wing causes, pointing to services for immigrants in the country illegally or LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts. At the East Providence summer camp, Aiden, a rising third grader, played tag, built structures with magnetic tiles, played a fast-paced game with the other kids to review addition and subtraction, learned about pollination, watched a nature video and ate club-provided chicken nuggets. Veteran teachers from his school corrected him when he spoke without raising his hand and offered common-sense advice when a boy in his group said something inappropriate. 'When someone says something inappropriate, you don't repeat it,' teacher Kayla Creighton told the boys between answering their questions about horseflies and honeybees. Indeed, it's hard to find a more middle-of-the road organization in this country than the Boys & Girls Club. Just last month, a Republican and a Democrat sponsored a resolution in the U.S. House celebrating the 165-year-old organization as a 'beacon of hope and opportunity.' The Defense Department awarded the club $3 million in 1991 to support children left behind when their parents deployed for the Persian Gulf. And ever since, the Boys & Girls Club has created clubs on military installations to support the children of service members. Military families can sign up their kids for free. 'I suspect they will realize that most of those grants are fine and will release them,' said Mike Petrilli, president of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, a conservative education policy think tank, speaking of the Trump administration's review of the 21st Century Community Learning Center grants. But not everyone is so sure. Aiden's mother has started looking into afternoon child care for September when kids return to school in Rhode Island. 'It costs $220 a week,' Reyes said, her eyes expanding. 'I can't afford that.' The single mother and state worker said she'll probably ask her 14-year-old son to stay home and watch Aiden. That will mean he would have to forgo getting a job when he turns 15 in the fall and couldn't play basketball and football. 'I don't have any other option,' she said. At home, Aiden would likely stay inside on a screen. That would be heartbreaking since he's thrived getting tutoring and 'learning about healthy boundaries' from the Boys & Girls Club program, Reyes said. Fernande Berard learned about the funding freeze and possible closure from a reporter after dropping off her three young boys for summer camp. 'I would be really devastated if this goes away,' said the nurse. 'I honestly don't know what I would do.' Her husband drives an Uber much of the day, and picking up the kids early would eat into his earnings. It's money they need to pay the mortgage and everything else. If her boss approves, she'd likely have to pick up her children from school and take them to the rehabilitation center where she oversees a team of nurses. The children would have to stay until her work day ends. 'It's hard to imagine,' she said.
