Youth Guidance Kansas City

09/14/2026

Every young woman deserves a safe space to feel supported, build confidence, and recognize her full potential.

Through school-based, trauma-informed group counseling, Youth Guidance’s Working on Womanhood (WOW) provides that space for young women in grades 6–12—including students here in Kansas City.

We are proud to celebrate the Opportunity Alliance’s investment in WOW in Chicago. Founded by former First Lady Obama and part of the Foundation, the Girls Opportunity Alliance is helping WOW reach and support more young women.

This recognition shines a light on why school-based mental health support matters in every community where WOW operates. Among participating students, 96% reported that WOW helped them make better decisions about themselves.

Thank you to the Girls Opportunity Alliance and for highlighting the young women of WOW and the importance of investing in their futures.

Read the ESSENCE article: https://www.essence.com/lifestyle/michelle-obama-girls-opportunity-alliance-donation/

Support the young women of WOW: https://www.youth-guidance.org/?campaign=609306

08/28/2026

We are so thankful for your support! ❤️

For some, a new school year means excitement, new classes and a fresh start.

But for others, it can mean anxiety, pressure, loneliness or the quiet question: "Where do I fit in?"

Last year, a student we'll call Cameron walked into a BAM Circle at Center High School unsure if he belonged.

He wasn't the loudest person in the room. But over time, something changed.

He began stopping by the BAM space nearly every day. He built trust. He made friendships.

And eventually, he found a place where he could simply be himself… in his words:

"It feels good knowing I have a place where I can just be myself."

Cameron's story is one of many.

Last year in Kansas City, Youth Guidance:

💚 Served 380 students

💚 Facilitated 821 Circle sessions

💚 Formed 41 BAM and WOW groups

💚 Saw an average 84% attendance

💚 And 97% of students said they trust their counselor and that the relationship matters to them

And the impact goes beyond attendance.

79% of BAM participants improved their social-emotional skills, 92% said the program helped them believe they would graduate high school, and 96% said it helped them make better decisions.

Because sometimes, the most important thing a student needs at the beginning of a new school year isn't another supply on their checklist.

It's a place to belong and someone in their corner.

Every young person deserves that 🙌

Follow Youth Guidance Kansas City to see what that looks like this school year and share this with someone who needs to hear it.

08/24/2026

Working on Womanhood (WOW®) is a school-year-long group counseling and clinical mentoring program for young women in grades 6 through 12.

Each week, 12 to 15 students meet during the school day with a trained Youth Guidance counselor. The Circle is where they have honest conversations, build healthy coping skills and get to know themselves a little better. Because sometimes knowing you are not alone is what makes the rest possible.

WOW is built on five values: self-awareness, emotional intelligence, healthy relationships, visionary goal setting and leadership.

The outcomes speak for themselves. Among participating students:

62% experienced fewer PTSD symptoms*
71% experienced fewer depression symptoms*
96% said WOW helped them make better decisions for themselves

One student put it this way: "I never would have guessed that I would have joined a circle of friends, a sisterhood, who would make us the best we can be."

Every young woman deserves a Circle. Support this work at give.youth-guidance.org/kansascity

08/20/2026

Leadership isn't something our students are waiting to grow into. It's something they're building right now.

In our Working on Womanhood (WOW) program, young women practice the skills real leadership asks for: solving problems, speaking up with confidence, working through tough ethical calls, and taking accountability when things don't go as planned. They also learn something plenty of adults are still figuring out — how to find mentors who believe in them and push them forward.

Every young person deserves the opportunity to lead. We're proud to walk alongside these students as they discover how capable they already are. 💜

08/19/2026

For some, a new school year means excitement, new classes and a fresh start.

But for others, it can mean anxiety, pressure, loneliness or the quiet question: "Where do I fit in?"

Last year, a student we'll call Cameron walked into a BAM Circle at Center High School unsure if he belonged.

He wasn't the loudest person in the room. But over time, something changed.

He began stopping by the BAM space nearly every day. He built trust. He made friendships.

And eventually, he found a place where he could simply be himself… in his words:

"It feels good knowing I have a place where I can just be myself."

Cameron's story is one of many.

Last year in Kansas City, Youth Guidance:

💚 Served 380 students

💚 Facilitated 821 Circle sessions

💚 Formed 41 BAM and WOW groups

💚 Saw an average 84% attendance

💚 And 97% of students said they trust their counselor and that the relationship matters to them

And the impact goes beyond attendance.

79% of BAM participants improved their social-emotional skills, 92% said the program helped them believe they would graduate high school, and 96% said it helped them make better decisions.

Because sometimes, the most important thing a student needs at the beginning of a new school year isn't another supply on their checklist.

It's a place to belong and someone in their corner.

Every young person deserves that 🙌

Follow Youth Guidance Kansas City to see what that looks like this school year and share this with someone who needs to hear it.

08/18/2026

🌟 Join Our Circle of Hope 🌟

Once a week, students step away from the classroom and into something just as important… a Circle!

In both our BAM® and WOW® programs, students gather in small groups led by trained counselors to check in, share their experiences and build trust in a safe and supportive space.

And the impact extends beyond the Circle. Our programs are designed to help students thrive in school and beyond, with outcomes including:

🌟 100% graduation rate

🌟 70% demonstrate improved social-emotional skills

🌟 60% of BAM® and WOW® participants improve their school attendance

We like to say we're "making therapy cool in school," because every young person deserves a space where they feel heard and supported.

And if you look closely at these photos, you may even spot **U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver II** joining one of our Circles of Hope! We're grateful to have community leaders step into the Circle and experience firsthand the power of these conversations.

Interested in bringing our programs to your school? 🙌

We'd love to connect. Reach out to our team to learn how Youth Guidance can support the students in your school community.

08/17/2026

That's why programs like Becoming A Man (BAM) matter.

Through weekly group sessions led by trained counselors, BAM helps young men build emotional awareness, develop healthy relationships and grow into positive leaders within their schools and communities.

The results speak for themselves:

Students enrolled in BAM are 50% less likely to be arrested for violent crime.

Behind that statistic are young men who are making healthier choices and building brighter futures.

Every student deserves someone in their corner.

Together, we can help more young people thrive. Donate to make a difference.

Click here ➡️ https://www.youth-guidance.org/donate/

08/14/2026

Every session of Becoming A Man (BAM) starts the same way: with a check-in.

It's a few minutes for students to pause and name what's really going on for them. No pressure to have it all figured out. Some days that means working through something heavy. Other days it's just a quick read on how they're doing. Their counselor is there for both.

That simple habit does a lot of quiet work. Listening without judgment is how trust gets built, and trust is what makes the rest of BAM possible.

A young person who feels heard is ready to show up. In class, with friends, and for themselves. That's the change we're in this for 💚

08/12/2026

Step Inside a WOW® Room 💜 where every corner has a PURPOSE.

When students walk into a WOW space, we make sure they're entering a place where they can feel safe, heard and encouraged to be themselves.

Every corner is intentionally designed to support emotional well-being, self-reflection and personal growth.

This includes reflection/calming space, coping tools and resources corner, interpersonal reminders wall and healthy relationship building bulletin board.

This helps create an environment where students can learn, heal and thrive.

One of our favorite spaces is the WOW Circle… where meaningful conversations happen, trust is built and every voice matters.

Swipe through for a behind-the-scenes look at the thoughtful spaces that help make the WOW experience so impactful.

Which space stood out to you the most? ✨

08/11/2026

What if every young man had a safe space to be heard?

That's exactly what Becoming A Man® (BAM®) is all about.

BAM is not just another school-based counseling program.

It's a place where students in grades 6–12 can build confidence, strengthen emotional skills, navigate challenges and develop the tools they need to succeed both in and outside the classroom.

Each week, students gather in a trusted space with trained counselors to have honest conversations and practice healthy decision-making.

And the impact is clear:

✔️ 50% less likely to be arrested for violent crime

✔️ 25% more engaged at school

✔️ 19% more likely to graduate on time

✔️ Every $1 invested generates $30 in societal impact

Behind every statistic is a young person discovering their voice and realizing their potential.

If you want to get involved and empower our movement, you can donate via our website today.

Click here ➡️ https://www.youth-guidance.org/donate/