Keith Fletcher Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County, President & CEO This column is a follow-up to my previous Fletch’s Perspective showcasing the incredible work of Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County therapy team. “Incredible” isn’t too high of praise, especially considering the obstacles they must overcome to provide care, the comprehensive efforts necessary to establish and maintain trust, and the cooperation required of our partners in the process. If you think therapy is popular today, you’re at least partly right. Even still, the state of mental health counseling exists in two largely separate cultural hemispheres. Studies show as much as a 10-percent gap along racial lines among adolescents able to access therapy. Fortunately for children in Martin County, BGCMC therapy team is available to deliver trauma-informed, solution-focused, confidential therapy. Best of all, they’re highly skilled at navigating and clearing the significant barriers to care, which include: Cost: Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the tenacity of our grants team, therapy is offered at the same rate as all BGCMC services—completely free of charge. Location and transportation: Our clubs are intentionally based in the hearts of communities with the highest needs such as East Stuart, Port Salerno, Indiantown and Hobe Sound. Plus, we operate a network of buses to pick up and drop off the kids—also at no cost. Specialized training: Our therapy team and entire staff remain trained in cultural competency curriculum and undergo ongoing professional development. Many of our staff members grew up in the communities they serve, making them uniquely attuned to the circumstances of our club members and living examples of how to rise above them. Stigma: Recognizing this as by far the toughest obstacle, we employ an advanced, holistic, four-tier intervention structure to reduce stigmas around therapy, which are especially pronounced in minority communities. Briefly stated, our certified therapists—and entire staff—are trained to identify and respond to early signs of trauma. This encompasses engaging with the member’s family, teachers and coaches, offering group and individual therapist-facilitated mentoring, and coordinating with trusted mental health partners as needed. Our mental health partners anchor Tier Four, which is activated if long-term treatment is needed. This dynamic is vital and therefore rooted in tremendous levels of mutual respect and appreciation. That’s because the vulnerabilities shared and breakthroughs achieved in therapy sessions are only possible thanks to the patience, care, and professionalism of our therapy team and the sense of safety and security our members feel—many for the first time in their lives—in the comfort of our clubs. It all boils down to trust—carefully initiated, steadily built and steadfastly guarded. To read the full article and more, click here.

Where Country Meets Compassion: A Night for Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County! The third year of Songwriters & Storytellers promises to be an unforgettable evening of music, storytelling, and community, all in support of Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County . This unique event brings together some of the most talented songwriters from Nashville and beyond, sharing the stories behind their chart-topping hits in an intimate and captivating setting. Guests will enjoy a night of soulful performances, heartfelt connections, and the chance to make a lasting impact on the lives of local youth. We have an incredible line up with an opening act for cocktail hour, the songwriters round and finish the night out with dancing with one of our local favorite bands. Building on the incredible success of its debut year in 2023, this year’s Songwriters & Storytellers is set to shine even more brilliantly, creating a powerful harmony of music and purpose that will resonate throughout our community for years to come. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this inspiring celebration! Please join us as a sponsor or as a ticket holder to help support the mission of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Martin County. The future of our children is our future, and we have the chance to make it brighter for our community. For more information about this event and sponsorship, please contact Meg Shirey at specialevents@bgcmartin.org or 772-545-1255.