Our Member Emotional & Social Health (MESH) program is here to support the mental health and well-being of our youth. We focus on promoting positive social and emotional skills, building resilience, and helping kids cope with the challenges they face. Through special activities, small group programs, and individual counseling services, we work to reduce the impact of childhood trauma. Our MESH team includes four full-time licensed social workers and social work interns who are passionate about making a difference.
Counseling & Case Management
The MESH team provides free, in-Club counseling and case management support for Club members. We help with life transitions, challenging behaviors, relational stress, coping skills, and connecting with community resources.
Small Group Programs
Our team leads focused small group programs designed to strengthen social and emotional development, resilience, and prevention skills. These groups run for 6-10 weeks, targeting specific competencies with the same group of members each week. Recent programs include:
Ready, Set, Action: A game and activity-based program focusing on teamwork, perseverance, self-awareness, and self-control.
SMART Moves: A BGCA program that builds resilience and protective factors against risky behaviors through lessons on emotional regulation, communication skills, and healthy decision-making.
Good Vibes Dance: A MESH-developed program using dance and movement to boost self-confidence, emotional regulation, and coping skills.
Teen Substance Use Prevention: A MESH-developed educational program aimed at strengthening middle and high school students’ knowledge about the negative effects of alcohol and substance use, while building resistance skills.
Social & Emotional Development Activities
We support positive social and emotional development through special activities and workshops in Clubs. Recent projects include:
- Hygiene Classes & Kits
- Anti-Bullying Workshops
- Glitter Bottle Coping Skills Activity
- Creating “Chill Out” spaces in Clubs
Staff Training & Support
The MESH team provides training and support to Club staff on mental health awareness, managing challenging behaviors, and trauma-informed practices.
Program Outcomes
437
Club members were directly served through MESH last year
86%
of youth reported they feel confident in themselves and their abilities
212
Club members participated in small group programming
87%
of youth reported an increase in social and emotional skills
50
Club members received individual counseling, case management, or mentoring from MESH staff and interns
93%
of youth reported they can identify a caring and stable adult they can talk to about their lives
Meet the Team:
Carri Russell, LMSW: Carri is the MESH Director at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley. She has a Bachelor of Social Work from Union University and a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Tennessee. Carri started with us in 2015 as a social worker at the Vestal Club and became the MESH Program Director in 2019. She specializes in crisis management and small group programs, along with managing grants and programs.
Shaina Chapman, LMSW: Shaina is a MESH Program Social Worker. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Tennessee. Shaina began as a MESH social work intern in 2021 and joined the team full-time in 2022. Her focus areas include individual counseling, crisis management, and activities that promote social and emotional development.
Kennedy Higdon, LMSW: Kennedy is a MESH Program Social Worker with a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Western Kentucky University and a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Tennessee. She joined our team in 2024 and specializes in individual counseling and small group programming for Club youth.
Ashlyn Wood, LBSW: Ashlyn is a MESH Program Generalist Social Worker. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from the University of Tennessee. Ashlyn started as an intern in the MESH program in 2019 and became a full-time team member in 2023. She focuses on small group programming, case management, and activities that promote social and emotional development.
Phone: 865-232-1198