Boys and Girls Club of Monmouth County has been named a Citizens’ 2025 Champion in Action® for its efforts to improve access to mental health and well-being programming by delivering education and resources needed to help people achieve their potential and thrive.
Announced by Citizens, Boys and Girls Club of Monmouth County will receive $50,000 in unrestricted funding, and promotional and volunteer support to propel their work to bolster mental health and well-being in the New Jersey community.
“At Citizens, we recognize that mental health and well-being are fundamental to the success and resilience of our workforce and communities,” Rebecca O’Connell, Citizens Tri State Metro president said. “We’re thrilled to recognize the Boys and Girls Club of Monmouth County as one of our nine 2025 Champions in Actions and support their efforts to expand access to mental health services and help create a brighter future for our community.”
BGCM adopted the Positive Deviance approach, which identifies individuals within a group who have developed successful strategies to overcome challenges using the same resources available to others. This initiative focuses on discovering these “positive deviants,” understanding their unique strategies and disseminating their successful methods.
Funding from the Champions in Action award will support family-based programs including mindfulness events and workshops to increase the awareness of supportive services available to families.
“We are deeply honored to receive the Champions in Action award from Citizens,” Douglas Eagles, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monmouth County said. “This $50,000 grant will allow us to build long-term, sustainable programs that focus on preventing and mitigating trauma, helping to create a healthier, happier generation. We thank Citizens for their commitment to supporting youth development and look forward to the lasting impact this partnership will have on our community.”