Emma

Childhood is difficult.

Children wake up each day in a world that feels big, loud, and busy. They are trying to learn their identities, how to handle emotions they may not understand yet, and how to exist and find a play in the world. That’s a lot for kids to take on, and as adults, it’s hard for us to remember just how much it all can weigh. But every once in a while, there is someone who never forgets, and chooses to see, hear, and walk alongside kids through it all.

This person knows about how huge those feelings can be for kids, and instead of just giving kids a shortcut or a fast answer, she gives them great tools to help. She turns toward the hard things, encouraging kids to name feelings, regulate themselves, and learn skills that will take them far beyond the Club. She also believes that children should develop emotional intelligence with the same importance as academic or social success.

Her care isn’t limited to the group for which she is assigned. She has a connection with all 180 kids that walk through the doors each day. She takes the time to know their names, stories, backgrounds, strengths, and struggles. They are drawn to her because she makes them feel safe, important, and understood.

She invests in the kids by going to their extracurricular activities, whether that be Christmas concerts, baseball games, hallway Thanksgiving parades, and everything in between. She never feels obligated to go but does so because she wants to. Those moments matter to Club members. A kid sees a trusted adult cheering from the sidelines, from the audience, and that says, “You matter to me.”

One of the best things about her is that she meets the kids where they are at, and she knows everyone is different. She knows how to accommodate them, how to support them, and how to encourage them to be themselves. She does not expect them to fit into a mold or move at the same pace. That kind of understanding needs patience, and she truly has the patience of a saint. She remains calm, steady, and acts with compassion in all situations.

Emma strongly represents what it means to be a leader at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Yellowstone County. She shows up with heart, intention, and constant commitment to the kids every single day. It is without a doubt that she is deserving of the Love It, Live It, Give It award.