A New Era of Wellness at BGCMB: Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Baltimore's Tiffiany Johnson, NSW (Community School Coordinator at Webster Kendrick) and Amber Reed, LCSW-C (Director, Social & Emotional Wellness) and Club members Chelsea and George were on hand with Wellpoint's Lori Hammond (Director of Marketing), Swen Brock (Community Relations Representative) and Lanise Thompson (Community Outreach Manager) for the ribbon-cutting to unveil this new, innovative resource for addressing childhood trauma and adverse experiences that was held at the Brooklyn O’Malley Boys & Girls Club in West Baltimore.
BALTIMORE (Jan. 27, 2023) – Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Baltimore today announced it has received a grant from Wellpoint (formerly Amerigroup) to create Calming Corners within its Clubs. Calming Corners are often used in school classrooms, but they are a new initiative in the after-school programs and summer camps offered by Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Baltimore. These purpose-built spaces are an innovative resource shown to help youth with behavior self-regulation. A ribbon-cutting celebration was held at the Boys & Girls Club at Brooklyn O'Malley in West Baltimore to unveil the first of several Calming Corners that are being implemented as part of the nine Clubs’ social-emotional wellness programs.
Speaking On Social Emotional Wellness: Amber Reed and Lori Hammond illustrate the value and creating a trauma-informed space for Club members.
To help kids facing challenges such as trauma and/or Adverse Childhood Experiences, Calming Corners are designated spaces designed to serve as safe places for youth to go while at Boys & Girls Club facilities. This trauma-informed practice is an opportunity for Clubs to offer members a designated, physical space that incorporates mindfulness practices and self-regulation in an area free from the negative connotation of “time outs.” Spending time in a Calming Corner allows youth to gather themselves when their emotions get the best of them. This new addition to the Clubs will be available to Club members throughout the day, and offer them opportunities to take a breath and slow down.
A Safe Space: Members from our Brooklyn O'Malley Club enjoy the newest addition to their beloved Club.
“We are very fortunate and grateful to Wellpoint for providing this generous grant to our Clubs,” said Jeff Breslin, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Baltimore. “This new addition will help our members and create a positive climate and culture within our Clubs to help create Great Futures.”
"We have been collaborating with Boys & Girls Clubs to create healthier future generations since 2010, and we are proud of this latest initiative to provide resources for youth to improve their well-being and reach their full potential as healthy, productive adults," said Vincent M. Ancona, President of Wellpoint Maryland.
The Wares of Wellness: This new space it outfitted with books and other items of comfort now available to our members.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Baltimore plans to install additional Calming Corners across the state this spring:
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Baltimore @ The Door - 219 North Chester Street, Baltimore
O’Donnell Heights Club - 1200 Gusryan Street, Baltimore
Webster Kendrick Club - 4130 Callaway Avenue, Baltimore
Westport Homes Club - 2343 Norfolk Street, Baltimore
Leonards Lane Club - 515 Leonards Lane, Cambridge
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Baltimore at Truitt Community Center - 319 Truitt Street, Salisbury
ABOUT BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF METROPOLITAN BALTIMORE:[Text Wrapping Break]We never take a single approach to help kids succeed. It takes caring mentors, such as trained Club staff. It takes a safe place, like our nine Clubs that are consistently there for the over 1,000 members we serve and 1,200 families we support. And it takes innovative, quality programs designed to empower youth to excel in school and lead healthy, productive lives. We do whatever it takes to ensure all kids have a great future. www.BGCMetroBaltimore.org
ABOUT WELLPOINT:
Wellpoint, part of the Elevance Health family of brands, focuses on improving physical health as well as the behavioral and social drivers that impact it through a comprehensive suite of Medicare, Medicaid, and Commercial products. The Wellpoint companies offer healthcare services for consumers at any stage of life seeking to make the right care decisions and helps individuals and communities make real, positive progress with health plans that foster independence, confidence, and whole-person health. For more information, please visit www.wellpoint.com.
Contact: Eric Hammond Enid Doggett
Maroon PR INSPR Media
(on behalf of BGCMB) (on behalf of Wellpoint)
Eric@MaroonPR.com enid@insprmedia.com
M: 443-614-9456 M: 202-246-3982
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