Calling the new role a true “differentiator” for the clubs, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton Harbor (BGCBH) have announced that Phillip Mann of Berrien Springs has been named its Director of Social Emotional Development Program Services.
In his new role, Mann will join the Club’s program leadership team, champion the Club’s social and emotional programs and manage the Club’s team of social work interns. Mann assumed the position last week, on March 15, 2021.
Board of Directors Chair Michael Todman says, “This new role is a differentiator for our Clubs, allowing us to continue to raise the bar in terms of safety, program quality and creation of optimal Club experience,” and notes, “Phil not only brings a critical social work background to the Club in terms of education, but his relationships with our members and families make him a critical resource for us in times of crisis and recovery.”
The BGCBH introduced social and emotional programming in 2016 with the launch of its Be There program. Be There teaches Club staff strategies of how to address grief and respond to social and emotional challenges experienced by members and is especially critical for at-risk youth who often live in communities with limited access to grief counseling resources.
BGCBH Chief Executive Officer Mackenzie Kastl says, “Our young people are constantly facing life-altering challenges, including the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, community violence, social and race based injustices, isolation, depression and other mental stressors,” and adds, “Phil’s expertise will equip us as an organization to tackle these challenges and address the needs of our families better, at the very time they need it most.”
Mann completed his social work internship at the Club before joining the team as the site coordinator at Blossom Acres, a BGCBH community-based program site. Prior to his work with the Club, Mann served as a missionary in Guyana, South America where he taught human biology and integrated science to high school-aged students in the country’s secondary school.
Mann received a bachelor’s degree in health science in 2015 and followed with his master’s degree in social work in 2020 from Andrews University. He is the father of three daughters, ages 11, 10, and 8.
