The Newport County YMCA announced Thursday a new partnership with Newport Mental Health that will bring mental health professionals directly to youth programs, starting with summer camp and continuing into before- and after-school programs for the 2025-2026 school year.
The collaboration, funded by the van Beuren Charitable Foundation, comes as children and teens face increasing levels of stress, anxiety, and social challenges. The initiative aims to create a supportive environment where young people can access mental health resources in a familiar, comfortable setting.
“We’re not just focused on fun — we’re focused on the whole child,” said Katie Bresko, Camp & Recreation Director at the Newport County YMCA. “Partnering with mental health professionals helps ensure our campers have the tools and support they need to thrive both at camp and beyond.”
The partnership will feature on-site mental health support staff during camp hours, daily mindfulness and emotional wellness activities, and staff training on trauma-informed care and mental health awareness. The program will also include open conversations about self-esteem, coping skills, and community building.
Eve Condon, a Behavioral Health Specialist at Newport Mental Health, will be stationed at the Y to support the youth programming. Condon holds a master’s degree in Community Social Psychology from UMass Lowell and is certified as both a Peer Recovery Specialist and Community Health Worker. She previously worked on Newport Mental Health’s Rhode Island Outreach (RIO) team and teaches psychoeducation classes through the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
“I’m excited to contribute to the impactful partnership between the Newport County YMCA and Newport Mental Health,” Condon said.
The program takes a community-based approach by bringing mental health support into spaces where kids and families already spend time, offering both group activities and individual support when needed.
The Newport County YMCA is a nonprofit organization committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Newport Mental Health serves as the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) for all of Newport County, providing evidence-based mental health and substance use treatment regardless of patients’ ability to pay.