The COVID-19 quarantines and enhanced safety precautions created obstacles for everyone in unexpected ways. 
In 2020, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington County struggled to gain necessary CPR and First Aid certifications for their summer program. 
Having a long history in partnering with Advocate Aurora Health, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington County staff reached out to the Aurora Medical Center in Washington County for help. Our Community Outreach Nurse responded to the call and was able to provide virtual education for the entire at Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington County team.
This allowed the agency to open their doors and provide a safe environment for area youth to gather this summer. Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington County provides a rich variety of programming for children including arts, athletics, leadership, health, life skills, and academic enrichment. In addition to providing staff training, Advocate Aurora Health also participated in anti-bullying educational trainings, general health and behavioral health education sessions, and no-bake cooking classes that focused on how to make nutritional, allergy-friendly granola recipes.
To keep the momentum going, hospital team members hosted a hygiene collection drive in 2020 and donated over 400 items to local community-based organizations. Members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington County were some of the beneficiaries of this effort.