New Data Reveals Success for “YES YOU CAN!” Youth Resiliency Pilot Program
DALLAS, TEXAS (October 30, 2025) – The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas today announced empirical data that proves its youth mental health resiliency program, “YES, YOU CAN!” helps teens. The pilot program is an initiative of the Y, Metrocare Services, Momentous Institute, Grant Halliburton Foundation and Center for BrainHealth®, part of The University of Texas at Dallas and is measurable, replicable and scalable.
“YES YOU CAN!” is one of the components of the Y’s ongoing efforts to address the youth mental health crisis and strengthen the resiliency of families. The goal is to help youth become more resilient, building on the understanding that the brain has the ability to change and adapt.
The program launched this past summer to more than 600 campers, parents and counselors at select Y programs. Experts focused on improving existing training platforms and added interventions from partner organizations in a cohesive approach to support comprehensive care.
The first results of the program reveal:
- 92% of the time counselors reported that access to mental wellness content helped camper behavior
- 92% of teens reported that the counselors created an environment where they felt safe to express their feelings
- 89% of teens said they learned something useful about mental wellness
- 78% of teens said they try to use the practices they learned from experts about mental wellness.
“YES YOU CAN!” is just the first step. We’re strategically building a system where children and teens can develop inner confidence and resiliency,” said Curt Hazelbaker, President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas. “By uniting our expertise, we’re paving a new path and setting a new standard of what holistic support looks like. There are no temporary fixes, this is an investment in the future of our youth.”
The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas serves more than 81,000 children annually in programs from afterschool care, youth sports, camps and preschool. It is a priority of the Y and the collective that youth and staff are equipped with evidence-based tools and practices that can improve their health.
More than 1 in 7 U.S. youth ages 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. “YES YOU CAN!” is a unique, replicable model that proves positive results, which can be used for broader community impact.
The program included:
- Specialized counselor training to address the needs of campers more effectively.
- Improved camper programming to help youth access to robust mental health programming designed to promote well-being
- Access to training and tools for parents to support their child’s mental health long after camp concludes
- Professional support from Metrocare’s licensed mental health professionals on-site and virtually.
This project is made possible partly through support from Lyda Hill Philanthropies, the Hersh Foundation/Ken Hersh and Regen Horchow, The Bette Rathjen Foundation for Emotional Health.
Press release submitted by Nicole Rosales, Allyn Media, edited for publication in Blue Ribbon News. Courtesy photos.
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