By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Rosecrance clinicians are now working side-by-side with kids at a west-side Boys & Girls Club to help provide youth with positive role models and teach them skills to cope with trauma and stress.
The after-school partnership reaches more than 40 club members ages 5-18 each night, with Rosecrance staff integrating their expertise into the Boys & Girls Club’s existing curriculum at its Fairgrounds Club location.
The need for the additional support became evident amid the stress children faced over the past two years of the coronavirus pandemic, said Chip Stoner, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Rockford.
“Even though our staff is fantastic, we need additional support and additional help,” Stoner said. “This is the first partnership of its kind for us, and we’re excited to see youth benefit from the friendly, knowledgeable Rosecrance staff.”
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The Fairgrounds location is a test pilot that launched in January, and the two organizations hope to eventually expand the service to all five area Boys & Girls Clubs.
Sadie Cobio, youth community services supervisor for Rosecrance, says meeting kids in their natural settings helps break down obstacles that can prevent them from getting the support they need.
The Boys & Girls Club’s after-school program incorporates education, recreation, arts, health and wellness and workplace readiness and Rosecrance staff assist with classes and social-emotional learning.
“By coming to these kids we’re mitigating those barriers, we’re taking away anything that prevents them from getting the support that they need,” Cobio said.
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Jennifer Cacciapaglia, manager of the Mayor’s Office of Domestic and Community Violence Prevention, held up the partnership as an example of breaking down silos to collaborate for the good of the community.
City data shows nearly three-quarters of youth involved in violent crimes were either witnesses to or victims of violence themselves.
“We are at a point in our community where we understand more than ever just how much trauma is really impacting our children and really impacting, quite frankly, our overall safety of our community,” Cacciapaglia said.
The clinicians can help youth deal with anger management, family issues and other social skills related to dealing with stress and trauma.
“If we don’t start to really step in and help them learn some healthy coping skills, they’re going to turn into older teenagers and adults who don’t have the skillset that they need to be successful,” said Carlene Cardosi, Rosecrance regional president. “We are honored to join with the Boys & Girls Club in serving the community in such a positive way.”
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas.