HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Sheriff’s Department will now be a regular sight at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hutchinson’s programs.
The Club announced Friday that officers will drop in at least once a month to hang out and take part in Club activities with youth.
"We see this as a great opportunity for our Club members to develop positive relationships with local law enforcement while also surrounding them with more positive adult relationships in general,” Lance Patterson, Director of Operations for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hutchinson said. “Our Club operates using a trauma-informed lens. We know kids from all backgrounds have the potential to have one or more adverse childhood experiences or ACE’s. The best way to help kids build resilience is to surround them with caring adults. Working with the sheriff’s office is a way to add one more set of caring adults into their lives”
They will participate in more structured activities quarterly, such as family nights or Club cleanup days. Club staff expects most of the relationship building will happen casually as officers and youth play video games, cook up wonders in the cooking club, and take part in one-on-one mentoring.
In 2020, the Club served 688 local students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The Club hopes that members’ engagement with law enforcement will be a step in building mutual trust in the community.
To learn more about programs and activities offered by Boys & Girls Clubs of Hutchinson at bgchutch.com or 620-665-7171.
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