By: Brynja Seagren
As we welcome kids back into our Clubs this fall, I’m reflecting on the trust our families have in us. It’s trust we’ve earned and trust we take very seriously. Here at Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica, physical and emotional safety is central to everything we do.
Every year, we prepare with an external safety assessment to ensure our facilities are as safe as they can possibly be. We just completed our assessment, but it’s only one part of the culture of safety we foster in our Clubs.
To us, a culture of safety is one of continuous improvement. During our annual assessment we partner with an Boys & Girls Clubs of America to help us identify any potential risks, but we also hold ourselves accountable to diligent and consistent safety practices every single day. Although the back-to-school season offers a special opportunity to practice readiness, we regularly survey facility safety, update policies, and test procedures throughout the year.
Our Philosophy on Safety
Our safety policies are also intertwined with our commitment to accessibility and affordability. We believe every child deserves a safe place to learn and grow, no matter what their family’s income level is. With out-of-school programs for a single child in our area costing over $14,000 per year, we are committed to remaining affordable and accessible so we can be the safe place local families need.
Our families have told us that a safe place after school for their children is one of their top priorities and most pressing needs.
Data shows that youth who are mentally and physically safe are better able to learn, meet developmental milestones, and thrive. Many of the kids we serve aren’t able to regularly access safe spaces beyond their Club—but we will always be there for them so they have a place where they are free to focus on new skills and fun experiences.
Our Physical Safety Approach
We take a layered approach, ensuring safety through overlapping strategies.
Annual criminal background checks are required for staff and anyone who regularly interacts with our kids. We are also mandatory reporters, required to immediately report any suspected abuse or victimization to the appropriate authorities and then to Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Our Board leadership elevates safety to the highest level of governance, ensuring safety across all levels of the organization.
Our safety policies address online safety, sports safety, the security of our buildings, appropriate ways to engage with kids, and our phone policy. We aim to address all areas of risk to protect our members.
We work with Boys & Girls Clubs of America and third-party safety experts on continuous training and resources and clearly communicate our safety policies to kids and families.
Promoting Safe and Healthy Behaviors
We equip our members to make safe and healthy choices through healthy lifestyles programs and social-emotional learning support. They learn to respect others’ boundaries, clearly communicate their own boundaries, and speak up if something goes wrong. Through over 20 mental health programs, kids learn positive behavioral and emotional regulation skills that will serve them throughout their lives. In 2023, we provided 5,040 hours of individualized mental and behavior health support to over 400 kids in our Clubs.
Our commitment to a safe, inclusive environment is evident when you talk to our kids. When surveyed, 97% said they feel emotionally safe at the Club and 96% said they feel Club adults care about them.
We are proud to be a safe place for kids and families in our community.
