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 (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…
The FORT Hangout
Social 2hr session: Falling Into Friendship! It’s your time to connect with the crew as we think about…
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.
Welcome to another new sponsor, @sandstonecare tone Care, to the Ryan Bartel Foundation family!
Right from our very first conversation, it was clear that the team at Sandstone Care unquestionably shares our mission for preventing youth suicide and supporting teen mental health. We are so excited for what we will accomplish together.
By stepping up to support our mission, they are proving their belief in building a caring and compassionate community. Their investment will directly help us create safe, welcoming spaces and offer proven programs that support teen mental health before a crisis occurs.
Please join us in giving Sandstone Care a massive welcome! Together, we are ready to transform teen lives through belonging, connection, and hope. 💙
Find out more about the 2026 Notes of Hope Gala on October 10th: www.ryanbartelfoundation.org/notes-of-hope
#WelcomeToTheTeam #TeenMentalHealth #SuicidePrevention #RyanBartelFoundation
Falling Into Friendship! It’s your time to connect with the crew as we think about new friendships we’ve made this fall. We’re going to explore how positive friendships grow through games, shared experiences, and creativity!
Sign for The FORT Hangout
⏰ When: Friday, Oct. 9th, 7-9pm
📍Where: Crossroads United Methodist
🎟 All are welcome! Must sign up to attend: https://tinyurl.com/yhy6psny
To learn more about The FORT Hangout visit: https://tinyurl.com/35x4cjmd
#TheFORTHangout #RyanBartelFoundation #TeenMentalWellness #YouthMentalHealth
We are absolutely thrilled to welcome our newest sponsor, USAM to the RBF family!
Right from our very first conversation, it was clear that the team at USAM deeply shares our passion for preventing youth suicide and supporting teen mental health. We already value this new partnership immensely, and we are so excited for what we will accomplish together.
By stepping up to support our mission, USAM is proving to be a true partner of a caring community. Their investment will directly help us create safe, welcoming spaces and offer proven programs that support teen mental health before a crisis occurs.
Please join us in giving USAM a massive welcome! Together, we are ready to transform teen lives through connection, belonging and hope. 💙
Find out more about the 2026 Notes of Hope Gala on October 10th: www.ryanbartelfoundation.org/notes-of-hope
#SuicidePrevention #TeenMentalHealth #SafeSpaces #CommunityPillars #RyanBartelFoundation
Real progress happens when a community steps up together—and @potomac.bank is helping us drive real change for youth mental health.
By championing our crisis-prevention efforts, they ensure our work never slows down. They stand right alongside us as we expand upstream suicide prevention initiatives and reach teens before a crisis hits.
Potomac Bank, thank you for pushing this momentum forward and helping us build a future rooted in connection, belonging and hope.
Find out more about the 2026 Notes of Hope Gala on October 10th: www.ryanbartelfoundation.org/notes-of-hope
#SuicidePrevention #TeenMentalHealth #SafeSpaces #CommunityPillars #RyanBartelFoundation
