Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties (BGCSDC) has been honored by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) with the National Safety Committee of the Year Award for its outstanding commitment to creating safe, supportive, and empowering environments for youth. This recognition highlights BGCSDC’s exceptional efforts to strengthen its culture of safety through the work of its Safety Committee, a diverse group of leaders representing law enforcement, education, healthcare, fire safety, law, insurance, youth, and the organization’s Board of Directors. “Our Safety Committee’s dedication and leadership have been instrumental in building a culture where safety is truly part of who we are. This national recognition reflects the ongoing commitment of our Safety Committee to ensuring every Club member and team member feels secure, supported, and cared for,” said Dawn Page, Vice President of Operations at BGCSDC. “Safety isn’t just a priority. It is a core value that guides our work every day.” Over the past year, BGCSDC’s Safety Committee has: • Aligned procedures with local schools, adopting standardized language and signage to make emergency drills smoother and more effective for youth. • Enhanced facilities, including expanding security camera coverage by 50% and introducing electronic access controls to ensure only authorized individuals enter program areas. • Secured grant funding to support long-term safety improvements, including ongoing compliance and reporting. • Embedded safety into daily operations through staff training, policy reviews, and recognition programs, such as an annual Safety Award for staff modeling safety leadership. • Promoted a culture of safety through engagement campaigns, including Safe and Sound Week and Safety September, which involved youth and families and showcased safety practices on social media. • Leveraged national best practices, participating in the BGCA Safety Improvement Network to continuously bring innovative approaches to the organization The Committee’s leadership has built a proactive culture of safety where members feel secure, staff feel confident, and families trust their children are protected. Their initiatives have resulted in measurable improvements from smoother emergency drills and increased staff confidence to stronger family trust and a more visible culture of safety throughout the Clubs. The Safety Committee’s collaborative, forward-thinking leadership exemplifies BGCSDC’s mission to provide safe, enriching spaces where youth can thrive. Learn more at bgcsdc.org.