Boys & Girls Clubs of America and “The Chi” star Jacob Latimore co-host a panel discussion on youth mental health in Atlanta

July 2, 2024

Press release

ATLANTA – July 1, 2024 – Boys & Girls Clubs of America, in partnership with Kohl’s, hosted a panel and discussion about mental health and the challenges young people face. The event featured actor, musician and dancer Jacob Latimore, as well as youth from Boys & Girls Clubs of Atlanta. The June 29 event was the culmination of National Boys & Girls Club Week celebrations and provided a platform for young people to have open, authentic conversations about mental health challenges and successes in diverse communities.

The mental health panel, which was live-streamed and available on the Boys & Girls Clubs of America YouTube channel, offered attendees the opportunity to meet and talk to local teens about the importance of wellness, while also learning from the acclaimed actor of “The Chi” about his own experiences and passion for mental health education.

“Everyone has mental health—what Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Kohl’s are doing to encourage conversations about mental health in communities is truly admirable,” says Latimore. “Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s goal of creating a safe and familiar environment where young people can talk openly and honestly about their feelings about the issues they face represents a paradigm shift in our culture. With everything going on in the world, young people can easily feel overwhelmed. If they’re feeling anxious, stuck, alone, depressed, or just plain lost, they should know that there are people here to help them move forward.”

Kohl’s, a long-time partner of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, has played a pivotal role in supporting trauma-informed training and encouraging open discussions about mental health among teens across the country. With a focus on positive social and emotional development, Kohl’s partners with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to ensure club staff have the resources, training and tools they need to help this generation reach their full potential.

“We know it’s important for children and teens to know they are not alone in their feelings,” said Kate Endries, National Director of Trauma Informed Practice at Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “Together, we can normalize talking about mental health and help young people manage their feelings in healthy and sustainable ways.”

“Mental health is an important issue for all of us and a cornerstone of Kohl’s philanthropic work, including through our partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America,” said Tara Geiter, Kohl’s Director of Public Affairs. “We are proud to support events like this one to provide more resources to youth across the country and raise awareness of the challenges facing children today.”

This mental health discussion forum provides a platform for open dialogue, reduces stigma and encourages children and young people to share their experiences and learn from mental health professionals. Ultimately, these discussions foster a culture of empathy and understanding with the goal of equipping our youth with the knowledge and tools they need to effectively manage their mental wellbeing.

For more information about the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Kohl’s partnership, visit BGCA.org.

About Boys & Girls Club Week
Celebrated since 1941, National Boys & Girls Club Week recognizes the invaluable services clubs provide to communities and showcases how great futures start with Boys & Girls Clubs. National Boys & Girls Club Week, June 24-28, 2024, promotes that while clubs operate at the local community level, they are also part of a growing national influence, and that together we can do whatever it takes to build great futures for America’s youth.

During Boys & Girls Club Week, we celebrate our clubs and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America as an organization that does everything it can to provide children and youth with a safe place, caring mentors, and life-enriching programs.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has provided a safe place for children and teens to learn and grow. Clubs provide caring adult mentors, fun and friendship every day, and impactful youth development programs outside of school hours. Boys & Girls Clubs programs promote academic success, good character and leadership skills, and healthy lifestyles. Over 5,400 clubs serve more than 3 million young people through club membership and community involvement. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing, and on Native American lands across the country and serve military families at BGCA-affiliated youth centers on U.S. military bases worldwide. National headquarters are in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America on Facebook and X.