Boys & Girls Club of the Austin Area (BGCAA), Texas System of Care (TxSOC), and AISD ACE Austin hosted ThriveFest to support youth well-being leading up to Children’s Mental Health Acceptance Week.
The event took place at BGCAA’s Home Club on the Sheth Family Campus, which was also celebrating the 5th anniversary of its opening, where a large crowd of youth and families enjoyed live performances and interactive activities while exploring mental health resources.
The 2024 Henry McMahon Children’s Advocacy Award was given to David Evans for his advocacy work for children with mental health needs. David served as CEO of Integral Care for over 30 years and has over 40 years of experience as a leader in behavioral health and developmental disabilities in Texas and beyond.
Youth mental health was declared a national crisis in 2021, and families continue to struggle with accessing the resources they need for their children. Organizations such as Austin Child Guidance Center, Rock Springs, Austin Bat Cave, NAMI Central Texas, and CommUnityCare Health Centers brought tangible resources for families and students to ThriveFest.
Throughout the fest, there were performances from student groups such as Martin Cheer, Langford Leopards' Dance Team, Las Comadres, and Chiquitos Salseros. In between performances, guests heard inspiring stories from distinguished speakers and mental health professionals from groups such as Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC), Hope Squad, and Real Queens Fix Each Other's Crowns.
