About us
Being A Teen Today Isn’t Easy.
Many are navigating anxiety, stress, loneliness, and the pressure to keep it all together—often without feeling seen or understood.
That’s why we create safe, supportive spaces where young people find connection, belonging, and hope, while building lifelong skills for resilience and emotional wellness.
Our approach
Programs That Change Lives.
Through engaging, meaningful experiences, our programs bring teens together to build connections, strengthen resilience, and gain practical tools to face life’s challenges.
The FORT Hangout
Ice Cream Social – Bring a Friend! Connect and join the 2 hour social hangout with friends while…
The FORT Hangout (For Boys)
Continuation of this six-week program designed for 9th and 10th grade boys. Each week builds on the skills…
The FORT At School
Brambleton Middle School Register: Free The FORT At School is a free mental wellness workshop series similar to…
By the numbers
Real Connection. Lasting Impact.
Our impact reflects what matters most: teens feeling less alone, more understood, and better equipped with real tools to navigate life.
91%
teens
feel more connected to peers and adults.
500+
program participants
served in 2025.
90%
teens
report improved ability to communicate their feelings.
98%
learned
a new skill to use when feeling stressed, anxious or sad.
Give hope
Connection Starts With Community.
The need for teen connection is growing—and we can’t meet it alone. Your support helps reach teens early, before isolation deepens, creating consistent spaces where connection can grow and belonging can take root. Together, we can build a community where every teen feels seen, supported, and never alone.
Thank You To Our Major Funders.
Follow Us.
At the Ryan Bartel Foundation, supporting youth mental health is at the heart of everything we do. We’re sharing this resource to help parents find actionable tools and community support to strengthen teen mental health and wellness. 💙
We are excited to highlight the upcoming @lcpsofficial Student Services Mental Health and Wellness Seminar Series! These workshops offer families practical strategies to support teen resilience, belonging and mental wellness.
🍂 Register for Fall Seminars:
Don`t wait! The Fall schedule is packed with incredible sessions designed to support your family right now.
🗓️ Look Ahead to February!
Keep an eye out for a special presentation, Creating A Sense Of Belonging, led by our very own RBF Program Director, @laceylrosenbaum.
👉 Click the link below to sign up for upcoming Fall seminars today:
www.lcps.org/o/doss/page/mental-health-and-wellness-seminar-series
#LCPS #RyanBartelFoundation #LoudounCounty #TeenMentalHealth #ParentingTeens #StudentServices #BelongingMatters #MentalHealthAwareness
Transforming teen lives requires steadfast partners, and Backflow Technology LLC has been a trusted ally of our mission for years.❤️
Their loyalty shows in everything they do—from showing up in our earliest outreach to attending and supporting all our community events. Together, we are reaching youth before a crisis occurs through proven mental health initiatives and safe, welcoming spaces.
Backflow Technology LLC, thank you for your incredible partnership, leadership, and commitment to building a safer, more connected future for our youth.
Want to know more about the 2026 Notes of Hope Gala? Find information at: www.ryanbartelfoundation.org/notes-of-hope
#MentalHealthMatters #YouthSupport #CommunityPartners #StrongerTogether#RyanBartelFoundation
Chill With Us: School Holiday Ice Cream Social!
Bring a friend to our 2-hour, ice cream social! Invite somebody who’s new to the Hangout and join us for chilly treats, games, convos, and good vibes.
When: Monday, Sept 21st
Time: 2:00 – 4:00PM
Where: Crossroads United Methodist
Cost: FREE
For teens ages 12 – 18
Must register to attend. Follow this link:
https://www.ryanbartelfoundation.org/event/the-fort-hangout-4/
#FORTHangout #SchoolHoliday #RyanBartelFoundation #YouthMentalWellness
Experience The FORT: For Professionals Who Support Youth.
Take a free afternoon to pause, recharge, and connect with fellow professionals at beautiful Oatlands.
Designed for counselors, mental health and healthcare professionals, educators, school staff, and others who support youth and families, the event offers a firsthand experience of The FORT, our signature youth program, through watercolor painting, gentle yoga-inspired breathing, mindfulness, and more.
Sign up to Experience The FORT: https://tinyurl.com/58kcbb8a
🗓 When: Friday, September 25th
📍 Where: Oatlands Historic House & Gardens, Leesburg, VA
⏰ Time: 1:00–3:00 pm (Optional networking until 3:30 pm)
Please share this with a youth-supporting professional in your life!
#RyanBartelFoundation #TheFORT #SupportYouth #YouthMentalHealth
