Nearly a decade after its launch, the Turlock Chaplaincy’s Treehouse Club — an on-site social-emotional learning program for students in the Turlock Unified School District — has grown exponentially. And with growth comes the need for extra support.
On April 6, the Turlock Chaplaincy will host their 14th annual Fun Run at 9 a.m. at Crossroads Church on 1360 N. Johnson Rd. to benefit the Treehouse Club. This year’s run will feature 10K and 5K runs and a "3K-K9'' walk, encouraging community members to enjoy their runs or walks with family, friends and dogs. The entry fee is $40 for participants registering by March 23. Late registration Is $45 up to and including the day of the run, while juniors registration is $25 with kids 5 and under free.
Prizes will be awarded for the top finishers in the following 10K and 5K race divisions: Men/Women, Masters (age 55+) and Juniors (age 13 and under). Those interested in participating can register at www.tickettailor.com/events/turlockchaplaincy/1160983.
The Treehouse Club is described as a safe place for kids to talk about trauma. The club offers both a 6-week and 8-week one hour onsite pull-out sessions to support the mental health of students who have or are experiencing fracture in their lives and provides caring, nurturing emotional support from vetted and trained volunteers. Topics covered include divorce, parent incarceration, immigration, military deployment, foster children and/or adopted children.
The traditional six-week program deals with topics that affect all family changes. Groups discuss interpersonal connectedness, unhealthy emotions, coping skills, family changes, bullying and forgiveness. Meanwhile, the eight-week divorce program specifically focuses on parental separation. Groups discuss how family relationships change especially with stepparents and stepsiblings, moving between two homes, child versus adult control and responsibilities, feelings about divorce, coping skills and heart connections with trusted persons that sustain and support students.
Many of the adult volunteers are retired educators or counselors, approved by TUSD as Character Coaches. One of those individuals is Bret Sutterley, a retired fifth grade teacher at Walnut Elementary. He currently serves as the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Turlock Chaplaincy and is the lead volunteer of the Treehouse Club. According to Sutterly, the Treehouse Club serves over 400 students across the 15 TUSD campuses each year.
“Every year, the numbers have increased since the COVID lockdowns, and awareness of helping students has grown,” Sutterley said. “We gratefully acknowledge TUSD and its focus on supporting students through difficult emotional times.”
The effectiveness of the program has been made clear by students who have participated.
“Treehouse was the best experience ever,” said one student, who will remain anonymous due to privacy and safety reasons. “I got to hang out with friends and talk about problems. I got to listen to other people’s perspectives, and it was interesting. I would 100% recommend Treehouse… I learned many things like coping with feelings.”
“I learned how to not put myself down,” said another student. “It was inspiring and I felt encouraged to do new things. I would tell others Treehouse was encouraging because I felt down, and they helped me to get up to do something.”
For those wanting to learn more about the program, either to have a child participate or to consider volunteering, visit www.treehouseclub.org or contact Ashley Mutchler at ashleym@montevistachapel.org. Since children often protect feelings from their parents or caretaker, TUSD counselors may also identify students who could benefit from the program. Permission slips are required to participate in each program.
