Senator Hochadel Condemns Trump Cut to Meriden Boys & Girls Club

Senator Jan Hochadel, D-Meriden, issued the following statement Wednesday in response to education funds withheld by President Donald Trump’s administration, which will result in the termination of free afterschool programming at the Meriden Boys & Girls Club.

The Meriden Boys & Girls Club relies on federal funding under the 21st Century Learning program to provide transportation and high-quality afterschool programming to 145 students. However, the Trump administration’s U.S. Department of Education has frozen Congressionally approved support for the program as of July 1, 2025, leaving the afterschool initiative unfunded effective immediately.

“I’m appalled by this decision to take resources directly from the youth in my community — especially the students most in need of assistance,” Senator Hochadel said. “We’re talking about families who enrolled their children in safe, supportive afterschool programs funded with money promised by the federal government. They built their budgets and work schedules around that commitment, trusting their kids would be cared for after school. Republicans in Washington have betrayed that trust. While I will explore any and all avenues of supporting the Meriden Boys & Girls Club and other services impacted by this cut, I am disturbed by this cynical decision by our federal government. Voters will remember who turned their back on our kids. If Republicans don’t value our children, what do they stand for?”

The administration’s decision to withhold the funds is expected to have repercussions for programs serving young people across the nation. According to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the loss of funding could result in the closure of hundreds of clubs, providing supportive programming and safe spaces to more than 220,000 children during the most vulnerable times of day. Click here to learn more.