Kohl’s volunteers and Boys & Girls Clubs of America joined forces to help make a difference for their local communities
At Kohl’s, we understand prioritizing emotional wellness for youth across the nation continues to be an important issue. Whether experiencing the negative effects of bullying or poverty many kids face threats to their emotional wellbeing every day. This is especially true for youth of color who may not feel connected or included due to racism and social injustices they must contend with.
Recognizing this, Kohl’s has committed $10 million, over three years, in support of the company’s national nonprofit partner, Boys & Girls Clubs of America to support the development and delivery of trauma-informed training to Club staff.
To celebrate this extended partnership, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Kohl’s hosted sister-city volunteer events in Metro Atlanta, home of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s corporate headquarters, and Greater Milwaukee, home of Kohl’s corporate headquarters. During these events, Kohl’s volunteers and Boys & Girls Clubs of America worked together to help make a difference for youth in their local communities. Check out highlights from both events below.
Kohl’s and Boys & Girls Clubs of America Milwaukee Volunteer Event
Yesterday, Kohl’s Director of Community Relations Tara Geiter and a team of associates participated in a volunteer event at the Mary Ryan Boys & Girls Club in Greater Milwaukee. Filled with kickball games, mural painting, an ice cream social, and laughter, Kohl’s associates helped celebrate this amazing milestone and showcase the outstanding commitment from Club staff.
“Our Milwaukee-area roots are a source of pride for Kohl’s and we believe it’s vital to help make a difference in this important community,” said Tara Geiter, Kohl’s director of community relations. “It was an honor to volunteer at the Mary Ryan Boys & Girls Club alongside Kohl’s volunteers and Boys & Girls Clubs of America Club staff to celebrate the extension of this partnership. Since 2019, our strong national partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America has helped provide safe environments and supportive mentors who cultivate emotional wellness for children of all ages. We’re honored to help Boys & Girls Clubs of America expand this reach and, through this investment, educate Clubs on trauma-informed strategy and practices.”
Kohl’s and Boys & Girls Clubs of America Atlanta Volunteer Event
In addition to the volunteer event in Milwaukee, Kohl’s CDIO Michelle Banks and a team of associates helped out at the A.W. “Tony” Matthews Boys & Girls Club in Metro Atlanta. With outdoor activities such as planting strawberry beds and refreshing the softball field, indoor activities such as kickball and big smiles were had all around. Dominique Wilkins, Boys & Girls Clubs of America alum and former Atlanta Hawks basketball player, also joined in on the fun.
As Kohl’s and Boys & Girls Clubs of America gear up to implement and scale key trauma-informed care initiatives across more than 4,800 Clubs, the Metro Atlanta volunteer event allowed Kohl’s volunteers, Club staff and Dominique Wilkins the chance to further connect with local youth, while also enjoying sweet treats at an on-site ice cream social.
“I had an amazing time volunteering at the A.W. “Tony” Matthews Boys & Girls Club with Kohl’s volunteers and Boys & Girls Clubs of America Club staff,” said Michelle A. Banks, Kohl’s chief diversity & inclusion officer. “Kohl’s understands that Clubs must have a strong curriculum in place to ensure youth are offered high-quality programs to build resilience and cope with difficult situations in a positive way. To accomplish this, Clubs must become trauma-informed. We are excited to extend our national partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America and help the organization offer trauma-informed care to over four million youth.”
About Our Community Partnerships
To learn more about Kohl’s commitment to family health and wellness and Kohl’s national and local community partnerships, visit Corporate.Kohls.com. For more details about other ways Kohl’s is helping the community for the benefit of our associates, customers and other stakeholders, please refer to our 2021 Environmental, Social and Governance Report.