The Boys & Girls Club of Newark (BGCN) embarked on the trauma-informed journey in 2017 with the onset of training staff to recognize signs of trauma and adverse childhood experiences. BGCN strategically and intentionally integrates the seven elements of a trauma-informed club by sharing stories of hope about Club members and ensuring staff well-being is cared for through mental and behavioral health services and mental health days. Staff, youth, and family voices are heard through trauma-informed continuous quality surveys. Members have a safe space to express themselves through the Wellness Center, which is staffed with social work interns and licensed clinicians.
BGCN recognized that creating a culture of learning rooted in culturally responsive and trauma-informed practices leads to positive youth and staff outcomes. Staff engage in an intentional training sequence during onboarding, throughout the academic year, and during summer programming. BGCN has ensured that trauma-informed practices are integrated across several organizational strategic priorities, including programming, training, and community engagement. BGCN’s commitment to ongoing trauma-informed practices and strategic priorities aligns with Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s (BGCA) Future Ready strategic agenda for collective impact.
Since 2023, BGCN has hosted two successful Northeast Region Trauma-Intensive Experiences in collaboration with BGCA. The three-day training provides organizations in the Northeast with tools and strategies for sustaining trauma-informed policies and practices. To date, 23 Clubs in the Northeast, with over 80 participants, have participated in the training. BGCN continues to commit to ensuring that training and ongoing professional development are at the forefront of providing an optimal youth and staff experience.
BGCN continues to strive towards award-winning programming, including STEM and aquatics and wellness initiatives, including but not limited to affordable mental and behavioral health, on-site dental and mobile vision services, youth and family nutritional education and food access, and parenting classes to provide youth and families with the best possible health and emotional outcomes. BGCN remains grateful to its Board of Trustees and funders, such as The Horizon Foundation, The Lachman Family, NJ Devils Foundation, and Papa John’s Foundation, for seeing the value in our holistic trauma-informed approach to working alongside Newark youth and families
To learn more about the Boys & Girls Club of Newark, visit https://bgcn.org or email bgcnewark@gmail.com.