Boys & Girls Club of Monmouth County Receives $50K to Expand Mental Health Resources in NJ

The Boys & Girls Club of Monmouth County is receiving much-deserved recognition for its efforts to support youth’s mental health.

Citizens, a national financial group, has named them a 2025 Champion in Action®, recognizing their commitment to expanding mental health and well-being programs for kids and families in Monmouth County, New Jersey.

As part of this recognition, the club will receive $50,000 in flexible funding, extra promotion, and volunteer support to help it continue growing its programs.

To understand why this award matters, let’s look at what Citizens does.

Citizens is a well-known bank that runs the Champions in Action program, which is designed to support local organizations that address the social challenges facing our communities.

The bank has been running the Champions in Action program since 2002, and over the years, they’ve given millions of dollars to nonprofits working in different areas of need.

Each year, they focus on a specific area, and this time, they choose mental health and well-being.

For a long time, the Boys & Girls Club has been a safe space for kids to get academic support, career advice, and fun activities, but they’ve also recognized that mental health is just as important as education and job opportunities.

One of the ways they approach mental health is through something called the Positive Deviance method.

This method basically examines people in a community who have managed to overcome challenges even though they have the same resources as everyone else.

Now, a big part of the funding will go toward family-focused programs that spread awareness about mental health and connect families with resources that can help them.

Specifically, the club wants to expand mindfulness events and workshops where parents and kids can learn practical ways to manage stress and emotions.

For the Boys & Girls Club of Monmouth County, this award is a major milestone.

They’ve been helping youths in the area for years, providing everything from tutoring and college prep to sports, arts, and leadership programs.

But as mental health issues become more common, they’ve increased their efforts to make sure kids and families have the support they need to deal with life’s difficulties.

In addition to the $50,000 grant, the club is also getting more exposure

This means more people will hear about the club’s programs, which could lead to even more community support and involvement.

On top of that, they’ll also receive volunteer support, which means extra hands to help run events, mentorship programs, and other outreach efforts.

This is great news for families in Monmouth County because it means even better access to mental health resources when needed most.

With youth mental health becoming a growing concern across the country, organizations like the Boys & Girls Club of Monmouth County are stepping up to fill the gaps and provide real support.

Thanks to this award from Citizens, they’ll be able to expand their work and help even more kids and families feel stronger, happier, and better prepared for the future.