Healthy Futures
Healthy Futures is a fun and interactive youth development program designed for upper elementary students.
Healthy Futures BlogThrough engaging activities, games, and discussions, students learn skills to:
Build self-esteem and confidence
through interactive activities that build confidence and self-awareness. Students learn to identify their strengths and practice positive self-talk to boost self-esteem.
Manage stress with positive coping skills
by discovering and practicing fun and healthy ways to manage big emotions. Activities like breathing exercises, yoga, and creative projects teach practical coping tools they can use anytime.
Make healthy decisions
through games and real-life scenarios, students learn to pause, think through options, and consider the consequences before deciding.
Improve communication and teamwork
through practicing active listening, speaking clearly, and communicating nonverbally during interactive games and group challenges. Students learn how we express ourselves through word, body language, and tone.
Recognize and resist peer pressure
with sorting games and creative projects to learn how advertising, social media, and peers can influence their choices.
Understand the truth about media messaging and substance use
by identifying misleading messages and learning how to think critically about what they see and hear. Students gain the confidence to make choices based on facts, not pressure or persuasion.
This program is a two-year, grant-funded initiative designed to empower youth and families across Hamilton County with the tools they need to create safe, healthy futures.
What We’re Working On
Since launching in July 2025, Healthy Futures has already reached nearly 200 students across
four YMCA partner sites in its first quarter of operation.
Survey results show powerful early outcomes:
● 100% of students reported being satisfied with the program.
● 100% of students said they feel more prepared to make healthy decisions.
● 87% of students shared that the program helped them build stronger peer connections.
In addition to direct programming, we are building partnerships to ensure Healthy Futures is connected to best practices in prevention work.
We have collaborated with organizations such as Prevention First! and From Fatherless to Fearless to expand our reach and align with proven prevention strategies.
Evidence & Research
Healthy Futures is grounded in the Botvin LifeSkills Training curriculum, a research-based prevention model proven to reduce the risk of substance use and support positive youth development.
Key research highlights:
● Programs like LifeSkills have been shown to reduce tobacco, alcohol, and drug use among youth by up to 75% when delivered consistently.
● Studies show improved outcomes in self-esteem, decision-making, and resistance to peer pressure.
● Healthy Futures adapts these evidence-based principles to be fun, engaging, and accessible for YMCA afterschool programs.
For more information and resources: Community Health Report 23-28 ● Cincinnati Children’s Community Health Needs Assessment ● Hamilton County Resources ● SAMHSA Parent/Caregiver Resources
Get Involved
We’re excited to bring Healthy Futures to more schools, families, and communities!
Interested in partnering with us? Fill out our quick interest form to learn more about scheduling sessions at your site: Healthy Futures Interest Form
Together, we can help build Healthy Futures for our youth.
Destiny Conrad
Program Coordinator, Healthy Futures – YMCA of Greater Cincinnati
Destiny leads the Healthy Futures initiative across more than 30 YMCA sites in Hamilton County. With a background in youth development and curriculum design, she is passionate about helping children build confidence, resilience, and healthy decision-making skills that last a lifetime.
Email: dconrad@cincinnatiymca.org
