High-Quality Afterschool Programs Are Critical to Equitable Pandemic Recovery
We know that youth will need increased support to emerge from the pandemic strong, resilient, and optimistic. To address this, we have made socioemotional health an even bigger priority across all Clubs and added significant new funding to expand our BHS team.
“We have always needed Behavioral Health Services at the Club. But the pandemic has highlighted just how much we need it.” Spencer Tolliver Don Fisher Clubhouse Director
Behavioral Health Specialists support BGCSF’s commitment to cultivating caring and supportive communities by: Prioritizing wellness activities, regular mental health check-ins, and early interventions Providing individual and family therapy Leading behavioral health training for all Club staff Developing coping strategies that advance BGCSF’s commitment to building self esteem and a sense of agency across all areas of youth development
Integral to Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco’s mission to help all kids reach their full potential, our Behavioral Health Services Team provides robust socioemotional programming and support that is critical to mitigating learning loss and ensuring future success. Clubhouses have a Behavioral Health Services Specialist who serves as a liaison, meeting with staff teams to discuss successes and challenges that Club members are experiencing. This collaboration allows us to create a comprehensive support system to support youth in the most effective way possible.
Debby, Citywide Director, Behavioral Health Services
“Providing resources early to our members so that emotional challenges don’t develop into a more pronounced mental-health need later, has been a primary focus of our program. The resources we provide don’t always look like traditional therapy. We use games, activities, and play to facilitate the healing process. This makes it safer for kids to express their emotions.”
Megan, Don Fisher Clubhouse
"Youth agency is a core tenet of well-being. Our services build confidence and self-esteem, empowering members to direct and positively influence their own life and ultimately the world around them.”
Patty, Sunnydale and Visitacion Valley Clubhouses
“I grew up as a member at Columbia Park Clubhouse. It is an honor for me to support kids from similar backgrounds to mine. I chose to pursue this field because I wanted to grow with Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco and found it inspiring that supporting kids’ socioemotional health is such a big priority for the organization.”
Skky, Willie Mays Clubhouse, Carver Elementary School-Based Club and Malcolm X Academy School-Based Club
“My favorite thing to witness in youth is the ‘Ahha moment’ - when a light bulb goes off as they recognize their own power and abilities. It is a privilege to witness their pure joy in that moment of discovery and empowerment.”
Teresa, Columbia Park Clubhouse
“As the newest member of the Behavioral Health Services Team, I am excited to bring my years of experience in supporting the mental health of families and children to BGCSF. I am passionate about the work that the organization is doing to ensure the best support system possible for San Francisco youth.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco
John N. Callander Administrative Offices 380 Fulton Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 kidsclub.org
We're Hiring!
To learn more about our Behavioral Health Services program and opportunities to join our team as a Behavioral Health Specialist, visit kidsclub.org/BHS