Ryan Bartel Foundation

Goal: $30,000.00

Specific Need

The youth mental health crisis still persists. Increasing stress, conflict, bullying and offensive behavior has intensified anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicidal ideation, causing concern about the mental health of kids as young as 5 years old.

  • Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among adolescents nationwide and in the Virginia. -CDC, VDH

  • Self-harm and suicide-related ER visits in Loudoun County rose 63% from 2019 to 2021 and are still higher than pre-pandemic levels. -VDH

  • 62% of Loudoun youth reported experiencing anxiety, 37% experienced depression, and 14% reported having suicidal thoughts in 2022. - ACOY 

Despite these alarming statistics there is hope. Research shows there are protective factors that mitigate the risk of adverse youth mental health and suicidal behavior. These include building resiliency skills, feeling supported by peers and trusted adults, establishing belonging through strong social connections.

The Ryan Bartel Foundation incorporates these protective factors into its programs to enable young people to feel better about themselves, their futures and the world in which they live.

Our need is to raise $30K to continue serving young people throughout our community at mostly no cost, so they have the necessary tools and strategies to not only live, but to thrive.

 

Our Programs

The FORT, a safe, healing community space for teens where they can be their authentic selves, connect with their peers, learn coping strategies, and have fun. Teens participate in experiential workshops in expressive arts, mindfulness, animal-assisted groups (dogs, horses), and physical activities that empower them emotionally and socially.

The FORT Hangout, a safe and supportive space for teens who want deeper conversations and connections with their peers in small group settings. Teens talk about things that matter to them, facilitated by a qualified mental health professional.

The Teen Ambassador Program, a year long program for high schoolers to develop mental health literacy and leadership skills to support their peers, school and community.

The FORT Facilitator Training, a professional certification for program facilitators to improve their mental health literacy, trauma informed and culturally responsive group facilitation practices.

Sources of Strength Training, an evidence-led, youth suicide prevention and wellness program offered in partnership with LCPS to most secondary schools. It is also offered as a community training to teens and adults upon request, at no charge. 

Your donations make these programs possible. 

  • $50 connects one teen to two life-giving FORT experiences

  • $100 brings a FORT workshop to life

  • $300 provides a qualified mental health professional for a 4-week FORT Hangout series

  • $500 supports an expert facilitator at our week-long FORT summer camp

  • $1,000 delivers two Sources of Strength trainings, equipping up to 75 teens and adults

Mission

Building resilient and connected young people to prevent suicide from becoming a solution to life’s inevitable storms.

Profile

Ryan Bartel Foundation programs are entirely focused on upstream suicide prevention for young people by addressing behavioral and mental health challenges before they reach a crisis point. These programs have shown that they empower young people with preventative mental health practices in order to not just ward off suicidal thoughts and risk, but to teach them healthy life skills and habits that can support a life-time of positive mental health.

Thank you for helping us to raise $30,000 so we can continue to provide and expand these programs to all of Loudoun's community of youth in need.

Photos & Videos

Ryan Bartel Foundation Program Overview
Expressive Arts at the FORT Teen Camp
Expressive Arts at the FORT Teen Camp
The FORT: A community where all teens can thrive
Connecting with animals help combat stress and anxiety at the FORT
Connecting with animals help combat stress and anxiety at the FORT
Mindfulness through seated yoga at the FORT
Mindfulness through seated yoga at the FORT
Creativity and mindfulness come together in the kitchen at FORT Teen Camp
Creativity and mindfulness come together in the kitchen at FORT Teen Camp
Movement workshop combines cooperation and exercise
Movement workshop combines cooperation and exercise
A cookie decorating workshop combine Expressive Arts and fun at the FORT
A cookie decorating workshop combine Expressive Arts and fun at the FORT
Teens enjoying the power of connecting through music and rhythm at the FORT
Teens enjoying the power of connecting through music and rhythm at the FORT
Connecting with trusted adults provides a safe and supportive space
Connecting with trusted adults provides a safe and supportive space
Movement at the FORT provides a powerful coping skill to build resilience
Movement at the FORT provides a powerful coping skill to build resilience
Dogs provide companionship at the FORT
Dogs provide companionship at the FORT
Practicing mindfulness and connection at a knitting workshop at the FORT
Practicing mindfulness and connection at a knitting workshop at the FORT
Teens feel supported and connectedness in a safe space at the Teen Hangout
Teens feel supported and connectedness in a safe space at the Teen Hangout
Building community in shared experiences at the FORT
Building community in shared experiences at the FORT
Connecting with calm and inner feelings through Expressive Arts at the FORT
Connecting with calm and inner feelings through Expressive Arts at the FORT
Building trust through connection while having fun with yoga at the FORT
Building trust through connection while having fun with yoga at the FORT
Connecting with dogs calms the senses and relieves stress
Connecting with dogs calms the senses and relieves stress
Mindfulness and meditation focuses on being present at the FORT
Mindfulness and meditation focuses on being present at the FORT
Identifying strengths during Sources of Strength training
Identifying strengths during Sources of Strength training
Adults become Sources of Strength trained mentors
Adults become Sources of Strength trained mentors
Engaging with peers and adults during Sources of Strength games
Engaging with peers and adults during Sources of Strength games
Positive peer led Sources of Strength campaigns at school spread hope, help and strength
Positive peer led Sources of Strength campaigns at school spread hope, help and strength
$37,405.51 received
in 64 gifts
and 3 prizes
124.69%  of  $30,000.00 Goal
We Have a
$10,000 Challenge Gift!

Contact

PO Box 184
Waterford, VA 20197
Phone: (571) 207-8764

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