This summer, the Saint John’s Health Center Foundation Community Impact Fund helped us invest in whole-child development through comprehensive health education for teen members.
Club teens engaged in age-appropriate conversations that many young people lack access to outside the Club. The program addressed gender identity and sexual orientation through an inclusive lens, equipping teens with the language and understanding to navigate differences with empathy and respect.
Support from the Saint John’s Health Center Foundation Community Impact Fund equipped us to partner with the National Health Foundation’s Be A Star program to deliver this critical information teens need to make healthy choices.
A highlight of the series was a guest speaker who shared her journey of overcoming significant challenges, including loss and substance abuse, to pursue higher education. Her authentic storytelling sparked meaningful dialogue about resilience and the power of positive role models. One participant reflected on the relationships they have at the Club and at home that “really support me.”
This initiative exemplifies our strategic focus on healthy lifestyles programming while advancing our mission to help young people reach their full potential. In an era when many teens lack access to comprehensive health education, Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica continues to fill critical gaps through innovative partnerships and evidence-based programming.
The success of this program reinforces our commitment to preparing young people for the complexity that adulthood holds. We are grateful to the Saint John’s Health Center Foundation Community Impact Fund for investing in health for local kids and teens.
Your support helps us equip tomorrow’s leaders with the knowledge, confidence, and resilience they need to thrive.
