While the primary mission of Boys & Girls Clubs is to help youths reach their full potential, the organization recognizes that a child’s development and success is greatly influenced by the well-being of the whole family.
Using the 2Gen Youth Development approach, which works to build family well-being by intentionally and simultaneously supporting both children and the adults in their lives, the Kansas Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs is striving to break negative generational patterns and create educational success and economic prosperity for its member families.
The Alliance, which consists of member Boys & Girls Clubs from across Kansas, recently held a two-day learning event at the Sunflower Nonprofit Center that was focused on the 2Gen approach and providing comprehensive professional development for staff of its member organizations.
With the theme “to inspire, empower and engage,” the conference provided opportunities for the clubs’ direct services staff, leadership and board members to collaborate and share best practices, successes and struggles. Workshops covered topics such as child trauma, domestic violence, mindfulness, program planning, strengthening leadership, family engagement and building community.
Dr. Beryl A. New, former educator and current member of the Kansas State Board of Education, and Matt Tenney, author and internationally renowned speaker on topics related to leadership, delivered powerful keynote messages to kick off each day of the conference.
Brianna Brooks, vice president of Program Management & Quality Assurance for Boys & Girls Clubs of Topeka, said she hoped the learning event inspired club staff and leadership to make a bigger impact in their organizations.
“Other things that I would really hope that they take away is just this approach to that 2Gen service. … How can we connect with families better? How can we connect with the families in the community that we serve better?” Brooks said. “… And I think when you’re able to do that, you’re able to better serve them, and then program quality across the board improves and then those positive outcomes happen.”
Sunflower Foundation is proud to have a partner like Boys & Girls Clubs, which supports the well-being of children and their families by providing safe places and engaging programs that help children grow and thrive, and we are pleased that the Kansas Alliance chose to bring this important and powerful learning event to our campus.
