Major retailer pledges $10 million to help support youth in Boys & Girls Club

MABLETON, Ga. — A big boost is coming for hundreds of kids at Boys & Girls clubs across metro Atlanta, with the help of a major retailer that stepped in to make it possible.

They’re getting brand new programs and resources designed to help them cope with social-emotional trauma.

Channel 2′s Justin Carter visited the Boys & Girls Club on Fontaine Road in Mableton.

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Kohl’s pledges $10 million dollar to help support the youth at Boys & Girls Clubs across the country, including the location in Mableton.

In the last few years, children have powered through COVID-19, isolation and social unrest.

Former Hawks star Dominique Wilkins said he grew up with the Boys & Girls Club and said he wouldn’t be the same without them.

“Most of the kids who are getting in trouble are young kids that are in situations that they can’t come back from,” Wilkins said.

That’s why he said there’s a critical need to support them.

“We can start by giving them healthy options that they can access to better their life,” Wilkins said.

On Tuesday, Kohl’s announced a partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of America, donating $10 million.

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It’s money that Jim Clark, the CEO of Boys & Girls Club of America said will be used to train their employees and develop programs to help children with trauma response.

“From a loss of a family member, to a loss of a friend, challenges in school, and just challenges with just coping with being remote and alone,” said Clark.

Michelle Clark said that “45% of children across America have experienced some form of trauma.”

Michelle Banks heads diversity and inclusion for Kohl’s. She spent the day at the club location in Mableton, planting strawberry beds.

She said the partnership is a no-brainer.

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“We want to give the club staff an opportunity to train and develop and give these kids what they need,” said Michelle Clark.

There are five Boys & Girls Club locations in the metro area and hundreds of kids will benefit from this.

This has become a multi-year partnership with Kohl’s and the Boys & Girls Club.

They’ve been working together on this for the past three years.

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