WASHINGTON, D.C., August 2025–Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (BGCGW) proudly announces the successful completion of two impactful wellness initiatives that supported the emotional and mental well-being of Club youth across all three Montgomery County sites.

The year-long Positive Action program (July 2024 – June 2025) and the culminating Youth Wellness Symposium held on June 27, 2025, provided vital tools for youth to understand themselves, manage emotions, and foster positive relationships.

The Positive Action program, funded entirely by the Maryland Consortium, delivered evidence-based social-emotional learning to BGCGW members through interactive sessions focused on self-respect, accountability, and the philosophy that positive actions lead to positive thoughts and feelings. This program reached hundreds of Club youth, helping them build confidence and develop lifelong wellness habits.

In June, BGCGW hosted the Youth Wellness Symposium, a youth-centered event focused on mental wellness, self-expression, and collective healing. With partial support from the Maryland Consortium, the symposium brought together teens for peer-led discussions, wellness workshops, and activities designed to build emotional resilience.

“By creating space to allow our youth to explore wellness, develop a sense of self-concept, and understand what healthy relationships look like, we are laying the foundation for lifelong well-being,” said a Laura Luettger, Manager, BGCGW Trauma-Informed Programs. “When our younger members are taught how to manage their emotions through programs like Positive Action, and when they see our older members engaging in wellness practices like the Youth Wellness Symposium, we are shaping a future where wellness is a natural and shared way of life.”

These initiatives underscore BGCGW’s commitment to youth development that goes beyond academics and athletics—placing mental and emotional wellness at the heart of community impact.

Photos from Wellness Symposium can be found here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1I06A2_VPo4wM3aXtUxLjxSUZZyg1LDS-?usp=sharing

Interviews from Wellness Symposium can be found here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1CBltMfw76vnURM2dr70UUMfCyYcPcrno?usp=sharing

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington
BGCGW has served Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia area kids for almost 140 years. Its mission is to help boys and girls of all backgrounds, especially those who need us most, build confidence, develop character and acquire the skills needed to become productive, civic-minded, and responsible adults. BGCGW empowers youth through programs rooted in Academic Success, Character & Leadership, Health & Well-Being, and Life & Workforce Readiness. Learn more online at www.bgcgw.org or follow us on social media @BGCGW.
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