Kohl’s has committed $1.5 million to Boys & Girls Clubs of America to strengthen youth mental health support nationwide. The announcement coincides with World Mental Health Day on October 10. Through this funding, Kohl’s will continue its national partnership with the organization. The investment will expand trauma-informed care training across local Clubs throughout the country. Consequently, Club professionals can create safer and more supportive environments for young people.
It will help children build resilience, and support their mental health. Boys & Girls Clubs of America will also provide more training to staff and Club leaders in specialized skills. The training will help them cope with emotional challenges, manage stress, and promote positive youth development. Through this ongoing partnership, Kohl’s aims to empower young people to have more confidence to tackle the daily challenges they face.
“Supporting kids and families is central to our commitment at Kohl’s, because we know that feeling safe and supported is foundational to a child’s success,” said Jennie Kent, Kohl’s chief legal and corporate affairs officer. “We are proud to partner with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to invest in the emotional well-being of young people nationwide, equipping staff with the tools to foster resilience and help kids navigate today’s challenges with confidence.”
Meeting the Growing Need for Youth Mental Health Support
The role of safe and supportive environments is important to assist young people in coping with challenges in daily life. The fact remains that children and young adults are still burdened with emotional problems and stressful situations. CDC statistics show that over 40% of youths experience constant sadness or stress, making it clear that there is a distinct need for positive environments providing for youth mental health.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America create trusted places in which youth can explore ideas and connect with others. An article published on the organization’s website titled “Youth Right Now 2026” finds that 91% of Club youth report knowing an adult at the Club with whom they can talk about their problems. This access to trustworthy adults allows youth to feel understood and supported.
With Kohl’s funding, Boys & Girls Clubs of America will expand its trauma-informed curriculum across the country. The organization is building on recent regional training sessions that delivered encouraging results. All participating Clubs reported feeling better prepared to support their young people after the sessions. Specifically, 100% of participating Clubs said the training improved their readiness to address youth needs.
This program will assist professionals in comprehending trauma’s impact as well as take appropriate action. It will also improve practices that help achieve emotional safety and healthy relationships. Essentially the goal is to create places where the youth may learn to cope in healthy ways.
“Trauma-informed Boys & Girls Clubs create safer, relationship-centered environments where young people feel seen, heard, and valued,” says Kate Endries, National Director of Trauma-Informed Practice for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “Through Kohl’s support, Clubs nationwide are strengthening staff practices, promoting well-being, and creating conditions for youth to thrive.
A Long-Term Commitment to Youth Development and Wellness
Kohl’s newest donation is part of an eight-year commitment to trauma-informed care. It also marks another milestone in the company’s longstanding partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Since 2017, Kohl’s has donated more than $21 million to support more than 4,700 local Clubs nationwide. These donations help Boys & Girls Clubs of America serve more than 4 million youth each year. Kohl’s also has a long history of supporting a variety of initiatives that impact children’s physical health, mental health, and personal development.
Supporting the company in 2026 included back-to-school shopping grants. These grants provide young people access to resources that build confidence and educational readiness. Kohl’s also awarded for physical health and wellness for active play spaces. In addition to financial contributions, Kohl’s associates also volunteer at local Clubs across the country. Their participation helps to create stronger links in the community and to promote youth-focused activities. The company continues to sponsor the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Regional Youth of the Year events as well. These events honor the best of young leaders and celebrate their achievements from across the country.
Together, these initiatives demonstrate Kohl’s ongoing commitment to youth development and community wellness. The partnership combines financial assistance, employee involvement and special training. This means that local Clubs can build their programs and offer more support to young people.
Supporting Community Wellness Through Kohl’s Cares
Kohl’s supports this partnership with its Kohl’s Cares® Goods for Good™ merchandise collections. The program gives 100% of its net profits to nonprofit organizations dedicated to family health and wellness initiatives across the nation.
With this initiative, Kohl’s is linking its merchandise program to its community-focused giving. The money goes to organizations that improve the lives of children and families. This commitment is further exemplified by our partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America that provides training, resources and youth development programs.
The latest $1.5 million commitment will help expand trauma-informed care to more local Clubs. It will also increase the capacity of staff to support the emotional needs of young people. This continued investment by Kohl’s and Boys & Girls Clubs of America will help foster resilience, encourage healthy development and create supportive spaces for youth across the country.
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News Source: Businesswire.com
