JH Youth Soccer, Community Safety Network partner on violence prevention program
...because it is never just about the game
JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — Community Safety Network announced it has partnered with Jackson Hole Youth Soccer on Coaching Boys into Men (CBIM), an evidence-based violence prevention program.
CBIM was created by Futures without Violence and is utilized by sports teams across the country. The program leverages the formative relationships between coaches and athletes, utilizing 20 minutes before practice for group discussion around topics ranging from digital disrespect to consent.
This spring, Jackson Hole Youth Soccer and Community Safety Network are piloting the program with the U14 boys’ soccer team, coached and led by Izui Villasana. The program focuses on non-violence, utilizing the social capital and leadership of athletes to build a safer, more respectful community, made up of exemplary young men and boys.
“The CBIM program is great for young boys to help them build healthy and respectful relationships that they can carry with them as they get older when experiencing new and sometimes difficult situations as a teenager,” Villasana said.
Trent Hultman, executive director of Jackson Hole Youth Soccer added, “Jackson Hole Youth Soccer is committed to building strong, healthy relationships with our athletes and based on trust and mutual respect. We are thrilled to partner with the Community Safety Network to offer the CBIM program to our U14 boys to help accomplish this goal.”
Community Safety Network’s Adrian Croke said he is excited about the opportunity.
“This program is proven to be effective in increasing boys’ understanding of what behaviors are healthy or unhealthy, and they will be more likely to know how to safely stand up for their peers. They’ll also know they have the support of the team in having some of these more sensitive conversations. These boys and their mentors are an essential part of creating a safer community.”
One of the program’s strengths is giving boys the language and the comfort to discuss things like bullying, disrespect, safety, relationships, and other struggles of young men in middle and high school. It is hoped boys will come out of the program with the understanding that who they are as a person is just as important as who they are on the field—and that they are great boys who are growing into even greater men.
