Recognizing the need for mental health services, the Club has started a comprehensive Wellness Center program to benefit youth ages 3-18 who participate in programming, their families, staff, and community members.
The growing prevelence of mental health issues among children and adoleschent is resulting in a rise in substance abuse, violence, and suicide, according to the Insitute of Mental Health. Locally, we have observed the Adverse Childhood Experiences our kids face, including family dysfunction, depression and anxiety, and stressors related to school and peer pressure.
A key part of the Club’s mission is to provide a safe and positive environment for children, and an important part of achieving that goal is in recognizing the stress that children are under and doing our part to support them. To that end, BGCNW CEO, Alyzza Ozer spent years advocating at the county, state, and federal level for funds to be allocated for preventative wellness programming. Thanks to her leadership and perseverance, the Club was awarded a grant from Westchester County to bring on 2 part-time mental health professionals: Dr. Alana Pudalov, DSW, LCSW, MAPP, SIFI, and Bryant Srour, MS, MHC-LP. Bryant is himself a BGCNW alumnus. He is thrilled to return home and credits the Club for helping him grow into the man he is today!