Dr. Sachiko Kuno Center of Transformation

Make a difference that changes the world.

What is the Center of Transformation?

The Center of Transformation (CoT) is a first-of-its kind incubator for new ideas and engagement around global issues affecting youth. As the nation’s Boys & Girls Club, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington established CoT as a destination for Boys & Girls Club members across the nation. CoT is a pathway for social impact designed to elevate the voices of Club youth who will protect the future of their planet.

CoT’s mission is to raise Club youth’s awareness of global issues, empowering them to advocate for a more just, responsible, equitable, and sustainable planet.

CoT’s vision is to create a locally-designed, nationally-implemented program that provides youth with world- class opportunities and experiences to become global change agents and solution-focused leaders.

CoT Strategic Goals

CoT has four strategic goals:

  1. Invest in high-yield and experiential learning programs for youth locally in the Greater Washington area and nationwide, through 21st century life skills development and educational excellence.
  2. Increase youth exposure to emerging global issues through creative and experiential experiences, fostering engagement and understanding.
  3. Design and implement an innovative 2025 CoT program focused on addressing how food growth, handling, consumption, and disposal contribute to environmental and sustainability issues.
  4. Partner with local Boys & Girls Clubs nationally and sustainability-focused youth organizations to expand their reach beyond DC, enhancing members’ experiences through collaboration.

CoT Pillars

Three foundational pillars, STEM, Advocacy, and Workforce Readiness, serve as the backbone of the CoT initiative. Youth enhance and refine valuable “future ready” skills related to leadership, career and college preparedness, advocacy, networking, and entrepreneurship.

2025 CoT Program

In January 2025, CoT will launch its 10-week program, from January 27, 2025 – April 18, 2025, featuring experiential learning activities, a final project competition, and special events. Selected Club youth will be invited to the annual CoT Summit (CoTS) and Career Fair in Washington, DC, June 15-20, 2025, for a week of world-class exposure and experiences, advocacy, career enrichment and networking.

The 2024 CoTS was a tremendous success — but don’t take our word for it! Hear what our members and donors had to say about their time together: CoTS 2024 Recap Video. You can read a summary of our week here: CoTS Summary Report 2024.

During CoTS, participants learned more about STEM, Advocacy, and Workforce Readiness and got a chance to put their 21st century skills to the test through a series of fun & engaging activities. Those activities included visits to the United States Capitol to meet policy makers and attend live sessions of Congress, field trips to NASA and the Boeing Company to experience real-time data from our satellites in space, flight simulators, and fly their own drones, roundtable discussions with entrepreneurs and environmental justice experts, and networking opportunities with corporate and environmental professionals and fellow Club members from around the United States.

To contact CoT, you can click here.

For more information on the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington Dr. Sachiko Kuno Center of Transformation, click here.