Mandatory criminal background checks are required every year for every staff and board member at the Club.  All potential employees and volunteers are also run through the National Sex Offender Registry. Club staff and volunteers are all mandated reporters. We are required to report any critical incident/safety concern to local authorities immediately. We are also required to report any critical incident to Boys & Girls Clubs of America within 24 hours.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of any characteristic that is protected by law.

In accordance with Federal Law and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, political beliefs, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write:

USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.

Washington, D. C. 20250-9410

or call (800) 795-3272 voice

(202) 720-6382 TTY

We encourage all staff, members and families to report any incident or situation they feel is unsafe. Through our national partnership with Praesidium, one of the nation’s leading safety experts, Club members and staff have access to  a confidential 24-hour toll-free Child Safety Hotline, 866-607-SAFE (7233) or email SafeClub@Praesidiuminc.com. 

Ongoing training is critical. We participate in a wide variety of child safety training conducted such as annual First Aid and CPR training, DHHS Mandatory Reporting, Mental Health First Aid, and Emergency response drills. We also engage leading third-party safety experts to provide guidance for our policies and approaches, including Praesidium, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and the National Children’s Advocacy Center.