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CLEVELAND, OH / ACCESS Newswire / May 30, 2025 / A $150,000 gift from KeyBank Foundation will support teen mental health and wellness initiatives over the next three years as part of Family Services' Youth Programming. Funds will be used to develop innovative, enhanced after-school programming aimed at fostering healthy connections and preventing behavioral health challenges.
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Meeting the changing needs of youth. Through partnership with KeyBank, Family Services is adapting their approach to youth programming in order to deepen impact and ensure that teens have the support they need to navigate today's challenges and help repair the social emotional gap post-Covid.
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Creative programming. Services will include group activities that increase protective factors, build resilience and encourage positive behavioral health as well as access to individual and family therapy services as needed.
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Deepening Impact for Poughkeepsie Youth. Family Services will reach more than 100 youth, ages 11 to 18, in the inaugural year through after school, group-based activities at the Family Partnership Center as well as individual and family mental health services.
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Dedicated staffing. A full-time Youth Social Worker, Family and Community Engagement Coordinator, and dedicated community partners will offer engaging and enriching group activities at a supportive ratio of 1 adult to 10 youth.
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Amplifying reach. The Youth Social Worker will offer support to other community youth serving organizations, delivering mental health and social emotional programming to their participants, expanding the reach and impact of the program.
"Everyone needs a little help from time to time, especially the youth in our communities," said John Manginelli, Hudson Valley/Metro NY President, KeyBank. "To support this program with Family Services, which provides teens with the resources they need in a way they will be receptive to receiving them, is a great way to promote KeyBank's commitment to help people live well and thrive."
"KeyBank Foundation is committed to supporting organizations and programs that prepare individuals for thriving futures. Family Services' enhanced youth programming does just this. It is a transformative approach to teen behavioral health that helps kids realize their promise and aligns perfectly with our philanthropic priorities of neighbors, education and workforce," said Eric Fiala, CEO, KeyBank Foundation.
According to a 2023 article by the US Center for Disease Control, in the 10 years leading up to the pandemic, feelings of persistent sadness and hopelessness in young people-as well as suicidal thoughts and behaviors-increased approximately 40% percent. In the Hudson Valley, the percentage of children with serious emotional disability grew from 15% to 38%.