Boys & Girls Clubs of America Club Staff are Preparing to Head Back to School, Thanks to Support from Kohl’s
Support from Kohl’s Cares provides trauma-informed training for Club staff to help create safe spaces for more than four million youth nationwide
As kids around the country head back to class, staff at Boys & Girls Clubs are doing the same with enhanced training to better support the millions of young people they serve in their Clubs. Playing a vital role in their communities, Club staff offer youth engaging development programs and meaningful support during out-of-school hours.
According to the American Psychological Association, 70% of teens ages 13–17 say anxiety or depression are major problems in their lives. Further, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention adds that four in ten high school students report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. And Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s own national data reflects the same reality, with teens and tweens naming mental health as the top challenge they believe their generation can—and must—make a difference in addressing. It’s why Kohl’s is committed to partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to help address the growing need for increased training around mental health for Club staff.
Our partnership has enabled the development and delivery of trauma-informed training for Club staff, which helps staff feel confident in leading with empathy and understanding, recognize trauma responses, de-escalate situations, and build environments that foster resilience and gain the trust of youth at thousands of Clubs across the country. By better equipping staff with the necessary skills, Club leaders can continue providing safe spaces where kids thrive. Training opportunities include:
Trauma-Informed Network: This six-month journey is often a Club’s first step in transforming the way they care for youth and staff. Within these small groups, Club staff connect and grow together, laying the groundwork for a care approach rooted in empathy and connection.
Trauma Informed Specialist Program: An immersive leadership path designed to equip Club staff with the tools and confidence to lead trauma-informed work within their communities.
Regional Trauma-Informed Training Intensives: This three-day in-person experience offers space for Club leaders to deep dive into trauma-informed strategy. Supported by six months of personalized coaching, these events help Clubs create positive changes across all areas of the organization by providing them with resources to lead and problem-solve through the lens of trauma-informed care.
Virtual training sessions: From quick online sessions to full workshops, BGCA offers flexible live opportunities for Club staff to grow their understanding.
Self-paced online modules: On-demand courses that introduce the foundations of trauma-informed practice to help staff who need flexibility by providing bite-sized, manageable pieces that make it easy to start building a trauma-informed mindset.
“Boys & Girls Clubs play a pivotal role in supporting children with safe, consistent, healing interactions that shape their individual worlds,” said Kate Endries, National Director of Trauma-Informed Practices at Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “Kohl's support is empowering our dedicated staff with tangible strategies and essential resources, enabling them to elevate health and wellness conversations within the Club experience to a transformative level.”
As this work continues to grow, Kohl’s Cares is supporting this partnership with BGCA through a $3.5 million donation over the next year. This funding will support the addition of a second regional Trauma-Informed Training Intensive in the Pacific or Southeast region, building on the success of the first location in the Midwest. These expanded regional training programs will be available to Youth of the Year advisors and Club leaders to help ensure consistent, high-quality practices across Clubs.
Together, we can create stronger, healthier futures for our youth.
Funding from Kohl’s and Kohl’s Cares is made possible through Kohl’s Cares Goods for Good, which donates 100% of the net profit to nonprofits.