Y Wellbeing Initiative – Greater Scranton YMCA

We all have mental health, and wellbeing is foundational to the mission of the YMCA.

With the appropriate support, information, resources, and tools, everyone has the capacity to effectively build resilience, develop self-regulation skills, and become their own agents of positive and healthy change. When we can understand and manage our thoughts, feelings, and actions, we are more prepared to thrive in all aspects of our life.

The Wellbeing Initiative at the Greater Scranton YMCA

The Wellbeing Initiative at the Greater Scranton YMCA is a bold and compassionate response to the mental, emotional, and behavioral health support needs in Northeast Pennsylvania, and specifically in Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties. While participants in our programs gain new skills for mental wellbeing, we are making referrals and strengthening connections with wellness care providers.

Our evidence-based and inclusive programs are offered at no cost to empower youth, teens, adults and families. To date, our Wellbeing Initiative has touched more than 10,000 participants through workshops, after-school programming, summer enrichment, specialized instruction, mindfulness practices, case management, and community care coordination.

We’re growing our reach, and this is your invitation to jump in. Mental and emotional health, wellbeing, and connection matters — no matter your age, lifestyle, or background.

Everyone is welcome to participate in our Wellbeing Initiative programming. You don’t need to be a YMCA member to join us!

Our Wellbeing Initiative Focuses On

How You Can Get Involved

Help us build a more resilient and caring community. Attend a free emotional wellbeing and mental health program, host an on-site workshop, get involved as a community referral partner, spread the word about these new programs, or simply remind a friend that you care about them. Follow the YMCA on social media or share one of our digital affirmations (linked below) with someone in your life.

Mental Health Access, Navigation, & Support (Caring Communities for Mental Health)

We believe “Community is the cure,” and we’re blending education, prevention, and community connection to bring this idea to life. Many of the tools to build resilience, connection, and healthy coping skills — and impact a person’s mental health and wellbeing — can be learned through informal support systems or community-based programs.

Even people who access mental health services will only spend about 1% of their time engaged in formal support or counseling. Informal supports that provide connection, compassion, and care (in and should) can happen in our community and anyone can access no-cost, community-based mental health services at the Greater Scranton YMCA.

Our dedicated Community Care Worker, Lindsay, provides confidential and personalized case management and referrals to appropriate care. She can provide support and assistance with almost anything that feels challenging, overwhelming, or stressful including (but not limited to):

Housing and food security, including SNAP applications or connections to community-centric supports
Medical applications
Unemployment (accessing benefits) and job-seeking
Referrals for mental health care or supportive services
Referrals to physical health care or supportive services

Get to Know Lindsay, Our Community Care Worker

Lindsay facilitates classes and offers evidence-based programming focused on confidence, friendships, resilience, self-regulation, coping skills, reflection, and personal awareness. These programs take place at the Greater Scranton YMCA (708 North Blakely Street, Dunmore, PA 18512) or Lindsay can take a program “on the road” to community centers, agencies, or places of employment. She provides mobile and on-site services to meet people where they are — literally and emotionally.

Fun fact — You’ll never get lost in a phone tree when you reach out to the Wellbeing Initiative. Call or text 570.575.0621 and you’ll reach Lindsay directly. She’s also fluent in Spanish!

Our Caring Communities for Mental Health program is supported by the Moses Taylor Foundation to reduce barriers to care and increase service accessibility for underserved populations. This program is intended to empower individuals through person-centered, no-cost support designed to meet them where they are — geographically, emotionally, and socially.

Violence Prevention & Intervention Programs

The Y Wellbeing Initiative provides youth mentoring, psychoeducational workshops, evidence-based programming, social-emotional learning (SEL), and mindfulness (incorporating yoga practices) for vulnerable and/or at-risk individuals. These programs are delivered on-site at the Y, in schools, and at community organizations to help individuals develop self-awareness, connection, purpose, positive and healthy relationships, emotional identification and regulation skills, confidence, and a sense of community. This program is funded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD).

Out-of-School Time Enrichment (BOOST Program)

Designed for children ages 6–18, BOOST provides no-cost, out-of-school and summer programming that integrates Social-emotional learning (SEL), character development, and pro-social skill-building. Programs are offered at the YMCA and at partner sites such as schools and nonprofit organizations in order to support positive youth development and enhance our youths’ abilities to build meaningful connections and skills outside of the school setting.

Evidence-Based Curriculum & Professional Development

Rooted in Y-USA’s Mental Health Community Care Model that care happens in the community, our team implements proven curricula, including Second Step, Too Good for Violence, COPE, R1 Learning, LEAD Camp Mental Health, and Breathe for Change, equipping participants and staff alike with tools for emotional intelligence, stress management, and positive decision-making.

Community Partnerships

With 80+ active partners — including school districts, health providers, advocacy groups, and law enforcement — the Y Wellbeing Initiative fosters a network of support and shared responsibility for community health. Backed by national leadership in youth development and social responsibility, the Greater Scranton YMCA’s Y Wellbeing Initiative is committed to addressing the root causes of community trauma, advancing health equity, and building safe, supportive environments where all people can thrive.

Partner With Us!

Tell us more about your organization so we can include it in our growing Community Resource Guide. Help us spread the word about the Wellbeing Initiative and tell a friend or colleague about the no-cost events scheduled at the Greater Scranton YMCA. Or, partner with us and bring no-cost mental health and wellbeing programs right to your workplace. It’s true — we’ll come right to you! For more details, or to schedule a session at your workplace, email Lindsay at [email protected] or call/text 570.575.0621. All are welcome, and you do not need to be a member of our YMCA to take part in these free wellbeing and mental health programs. Together, let’s help build a mentally healthy, resilient community.

Why Partner with Us?

Along with our more structured programming, we’re always exploring new ways to bring people together, build connections, and showcase various ways that we can care for ourselves, and others. Our mental health care and emotional wellbeing care shouldn’t be limited to counseling, medication, or therapy — nurturing emotional and mental wellbeing can be meaningful, energizing, and fun. Since launching the Wellbeing Initiative, we’ve collaborated with community organizations and local businesses to offer a variety of activities that help people care for themselves in ways that work for them.

Want a bit more detail? Click here to download our Wellbeing Initiative partner flyer. If you’re ready to get involved, email our Wellbeing Initiative Program Director, Kevin Whelley, today.

Meet Our Team

Core Beliefs of the Greater Scranton YMCA's Wellbeing Initiative

We ALL Have Mental Health: It’s how we think, feel, and act
Wellbeing is Foundational: Mental, emotional, and social wellbeing is essential to overall health and a person’s ability to thrive in life. With the right support, everyone has the capacity to build resilience, develop self-regulation skills, and become agents of positive change.
Prevention is Powerful: The early intervention and prevention-based strategies we offer reduce risk, build protective factors, and interrupt cycles of trauma, substance use, and violence for all.
Community is the Cure: Connection, belonging, and collaboration are the antidotes to loneliness, stress, and disconnection. We work alongside schools, families, local agencies, and youth to co-create sustainable, community-driven solutions.
Data Drives Impact: We use evidence-based practices and community-informed data to make sure our programs are effective, measurable, and aligned with the real needs of people living in this community.

We Practice What We Preach

Caring for others begins with caring for ourselves — and below you’ll find our favorite mental health and wellness strategies that help us do just that. Maybe you’ll be inspired to try some of these practical tips, too!

Mental Health-Focused Affirmations and Wellbeing Reflections

Affirmations are short, positive statements that you repeat to yourself to encourage a healthy mindset, boost confidence, or shift unhelpful thought patterns. Often used as a personal development strategy, affirmations reinforce mindset shifts through simple (but focused) repetitive phrases. You’ll find a few of our favorite affirmations below.

Download any that resonate with you! (To do this, simply right click on the affirmation(s) you like best and select “Save image as.”)

Keep your favorite(s) on hand as a visual reminder for yourself, share on social media to inspire your network, or text a specific affirmation to a friend, family member, or colleague who could use some encouragement today.

Photo Gallery

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is the Greater Scranton YMCA involved in mental health?

Mental health is health — and the YMCA is leading the way in delivering compassionate, community-centered care across the country. The Wellbeing Initiative at our YMCA is grounded in the national Y-USA Mental Health Community Care Model and fueled by local commitment. This model recognizes that most mental health support occurs outside clinical settings — it happens in gyms, schools, parks, and neighborhoods. YMCAs like ours are equipped to become trusted community hubs for informal mental health care by focusing on three key pillars:

Increase Awareness: Reduce stigma and increase understanding of mental health in everyday settings.
Build Capacity: Train staff and volunteers to recognize signs of distress and respond with empathy.
Promote Community Care: Provide inclusive spaces and supportive programming that strengthens emotional wellbeing.

How does the Wellbeing Initiative work?

We are integrating the national Y-USA Mental Health Community Care Model through evidence-based education, coordinated referrals, and community resilience-building. Our Wellbeing Initiative is designed to expand access to free, evidence-based mental health, mentoring, and prevention services throughout Lackawanna and surrounding counties. Our approach is broad and holistic, and our Wellbeing Initiative supports the most vulnerable adults in our region with dignity, connection, and healing at no cost. By offering safe and friendly group programs and opportunities to receive individualized, one-on-one guidance from our Community Care Worker, we’re aiming to provide the right level of support and connection to anyone who might seek it. The Wellbeing Initiative is not intended to replace clinical therapies or counseling. However, we are aiming to do our part and transform how our community heals, connects, and thrives.

Can I schedule counseling sessions at the Y?

No. We do not offer clinical or therapeutic mental health counseling as part of our Wellbeing Initiative. However, we are able to talk with you, coordinate care, recommend a provider within our local referral partner network, and guide you in scheduling and preparing for your first visit. We can also help you implement actionable tools and mental wellbeing strategies (including self-awareness, emotion identification and management skills, protective factor identification and enhancement, and coping strategies that can aid in building resilience and confidence) prior to your first counseling appointment. The YMCA’s Wellbeing Initiative is a complement to (not a substitute for) professional, clinically-focused therapy.

Who can participate in these programs?

Anyone! Whether you are a YMCA member or not, join us for no-cost programming, education, and support. Ask to connect with our Community Care Worker for support related to housing, food security, employment, healthcare access, and more. If you are an employer, connect with us to bring on-site mental health and wellbeing programming to your team members at your location. If you are curious about how to strengthen your coping skills, build resiliency, or become more connected to yourself, the Wellbeing Initiative is for you. Services under the Wellbeing Initiative are 100% free, culturally responsive, and accessible regardless of income, insurance status, transportation access, or YMCA membership.

What is COPE?

COPE is an evidenced-based, trauma-focused therapy for the treatment of co-occurring post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders (SUD). COPE is an integrated treatment that combines prolonged exposure techniques for PTSD with cognitive behavioral techniques for SUD.

The primary goals of the COPE treatment are to:

Provide psychoeducation about PTSD, substance use disorders, and their interconnection
Reduce PTSD symptoms
Decrease substance use

Click here to learn more about COPE or connect with us to bring a COPE session to your organization or group.

What is R1 Learning?

R1 (short for Recovery First) is a powerful, gamified, evidence-based program built for everyone — not only those in recovery. The R1 exercise centers around a deck of cards covering topics such as mental health and wellness, personal values, coping skills, high-risk behaviors, substance use, and life and work skills. Each card prompts reflection and conversation, helping participants consider new perspectives and gain insight into themselves and others. We have received a lot of recent, positive feedback about R1 sessions focused on personal values — where participants explored what mattered most to them and talked through shared values with their peers to build bridges and new connections. With R1, there’s really no limit to where these guided conversations can lead. Click here to learn more about R1 or connect with us to bring an R1 session to your organization or group.

What is Let's Empower, Advocate, and Do (LEAD)?

LEAD provides no-fluff, mental health & DEI-JB (diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging) training, coaching, and consulting. Goals include:

Strengthening mental health literacy.
Promoting lifelong well-being and sustainable behavior change.
Building resilient, trauma-informed, culturally-competent, and inclusive workplace communities.

With practical skills, tools, and strategies, LEAD’s evidence-based and hands-on curricula can move participants beyond awareness and into action. Click here to learn more about LEAD or connect with us to bring a LEAD session to your organization or group.

What is Breathe for Change?

Breathe for Change is a transformative higher education institution empowering educators to build stronger school communities and bring wellness, inspiration, and community to every educator and student. Breathe for Change offers Mindfulness, Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), and Yoga Teacher Training for educators, mental health professionals, yoga teachers, and changemakers. Click here to learn more about Breathe for Change or connect with us to bring a session to your organization or group.

What is Friendship Lab?

We believe “Community is the cure.” The Friendship Lab is a welcoming, community-focused meet-up designed to help people explore the power of friendship and connection. Held on the first Friday of each month, this free program invites participants to reflect on topics like what it means to be a friend, the benefits of friendship, and the values that shape our relationships. Led by Lindsay Cuevas, our Community Care Worker, the group offers a supportive space to build meaningful connections and strengthen your social wellbeing. Anyone and everyone is encouraged to join us at Friendship Lab. Just like all of our Wellbeing Initiative programs, this meet-up is open to all — a YMCA membership is not required.

How is the Wellbeing Initiative funded?

The Wellbeing Initiative is made possible through a variety of funding sources and partners, including Moses Taylor Foundation, Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), and other invested organizations.

Can I see a full list of all upcoming Wellbeing Initiative events?

Yes! Find a list of upcoming Wellbeing Initiative events on the Greater Scranton YMCA’s website, or view the Events tab on our Facebook page. We’d love to see you at an upcoming event! Or, reach out to us to discuss hosting an event at your location on a date and time that works for you and your team.

In the News

“We ALL have mental health, and that mental health shapes how we think, feel and act. Our goal is to help cultivate a culture of mental, emotional and social wellbeing where everyone has an opportunity to feel connected, supported and emotionally resilient without the fear of judgement. We realize this is a lofty goal, but we remain steadfast in our belief that this is something that every member of our communities deserves.”

Kevin Whelley, Progam Director, Y Wellbeing Initiative