Press Release: 5/1/2025

Healey-Driscoll Administration Hosts First-Ever Healthy Youth Summit

 



Summit held in collaboration with the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking; Featured the launch of the Council’s expanded RESPECTfully campaign 



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:



4/30/2025



MEDIA CONTACT



Karissa Hand, Press Secretary



 Phone



Call Karissa Hand, Press Secretary at 617-725-4025



Lieutenant Governor at a podium looking over her left shoulder to a table with five people



BOSTON — Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration, in collaboration with the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking (GCSADVHT), hosted the first-ever Healthy Youth Summit, a one-day conference aimed to equip local high school students with practical tools for healthy relationships with their peers, family members and the broader community. The event was attended by more than 300 high schoolers and school administrators from across the state, as well as advocacy organizations and local leaders supporting healthy relationships.  



Announced at the summit was the launch of the GCSADVHT’s newly expanded RESPECTfully Campaign. Detailed in the Council’s Biennial Report released in December and in collaboration with the Department of Public Health, the RESPECTfully Campaign expanded its focus to include healthy relationship breakups — both platonic and romantic. The launch includes a new website with resources for youth to learn more about healthy relationships, signs for them to look out for, and how to talk about relationships with those they care about. This public education initiative primarily targets Massachusetts youth ages 12-18, with secondary audiences including youth-serving organizations, parents, caregivers, and educational institutions. 



“Learning how to navigate healthy relationships is an important life lesson. The Healthy Youth Summit is a chance for young people from all over Massachusetts to transform how they think about relationships, respect and personal growth,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Students had the chance to hear from experts and connect with their peers on the best ways to maintain relationships that’ll last them a lifetime. I am grateful for the work of the Council, including Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and Executive Director Vilma Uribe, in putting this summit together for our young people.” 



“As Chair, I’m thrilled to welcome our Massachusetts high schoolers to this year’s Healthy Youth Summit. Students were able to learn from people they admire, connect with other students, and learn skills that’ll make a big difference in their future relationships,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Chair of the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking. “Whether they’re dealing with friendships, teammates, family dynamics or romantic partnerships, students were able to come out of the summit with tools to navigate relationships with respect, empathy and genuine support.” 



“The RESPECTfully campaign is a powerful investment in the well-being and future of young people, helping them recognize, build, and sustain healthy relationships grounded in respect, honesty, and kindness,” said Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD, Commissioner of Public Health. “What makes this campaign especially powerful is the leadership of youth, themselves, through the RESPECTfully Youth Ambassador Group, which is made up of teens who share their perspectives, insights, and lived experiences to shape messaging that truly resonates. Their voices, creativity, and commitment are helping to drive lasting cultural change.”  



The summit focused on building healthy relationships with peers, family, and community members, fostering personal growth by developing tools and the confidence to navigate relationship challenges in a healthy way, and how to become a positive community leader to guide others toward healthier relationships.  



“We're focusing on supporting young people to not only build healthy relationships in their own lives but to become positive influences in their communities,” said Executive Director of the GCSADVHT Vilma Uribe. 



The event included a keynote panel discussion between Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and representatives of five major Boston sports teams including: Andrew Raycroft, former player of the Boston Bruins; Manny Delcarmen, former player of the Boston Red Sox; Amanda Feldman, Team Sports Dietitian of the Boston Fleet; Molly Goodwin, Owner of the Boston Renegades; and Domènec Gausch, General Manager of the Boston Legacy FC. Their conversation focused on fostering positive team dynamics and how respect and teamwork translate to giving back to the community.  



Summit attendees also had the opportunity to listen to a panel discussion between the Lieutenant Governor and representatives of Massachusetts college and high school athletics focused on teamwork, respect and overcoming interpersonal challenges. The summit offered specialized workshops exploring various aspects of healthy relationships, allowing students to choose topics most relevant to their interests and needs, and a resource fair with local organizations providing youth support services, ensuring participants have access to ongoing resources after the summit concludes. 



The GCSADVHT is chaired by Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, led by Executive Director Uribe, and includes members of the administration and their respective designees, 34 individuals appointed by the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, and over 150 subcommittee members.  



Statements of Support 



Andrew Raycroft, Former Player, Boston Bruins: 



“It was great to be at the Healthy Youth Summit on behalf of the Boston Bruins to talk about teamwork and positive relationship building. At the root of any good team, or any healthy relationship, is honesty and trust. The best players and the best teams have the ability to be honest with each other to get through adversity. Today's summit helps connect students with the lessons we learn in sports to their everyday lives.”  



Manny Delcarmen, Former Player, Boston Red Sox: 



"It was an honor to be part of today’s Healthy Youth Summit, standing alongside leaders who are committed to building safer, stronger communities. As a kid from Boston, I know firsthand the challenges young people face and how important it is to have people in your corner. Through the work of Boston Athletic Academy and events like this, I’m proud to help create opportunities for kids to build resilience, trust, and confidence. Whether it’s on a team, in the classroom, or in life, every young person deserves a support system. I'm honored to represent the Red Sox and be part of the effort to set them up for success." 



Amanda Feldman, Team Sports Dietitian, Boston Fleet: 



"Being able to learn how to form healthy relationships early on is an important skill that benefits everyone over the course of their life — whether you're on a team, in a classroom, or in the workplace. Today's Healthy Youth Summit was a great opportunity to connect with students and talk about how to build relationships in a healthy way, prioritizing honesty and inclusivity. It was great to be there to represent the Boston Fleet and I'm grateful for the opportunity to participate." 



Molly Goodwin, Owner, Boston Renegades:



“The Boston Renegades are honored to participate in the Healthy Youth Summit. It is important that our young people witness the representation and celebration of strong, empowered girls and women. Sports are an effective and healthy way to foster this development and to value these qualities in all athletes.”  



Domè Guasch, General Manager, Boston Legacy FC: 



"It was an honor to participate in the Healthy Youth Summit. Sports can be very beneficial for children in learning about teamwork, communication, and commitment, and it’s critical that they learn these things within the framework of respect, safety, and belonging. At Boston Legacy we especially want to be a resource and example for young girls in sports, to see what they can achieve with hard work and also to know their worth as athletes and as people." 



Ella Blackmore, Northeastern University Women's Hockey Team:



“I greatly appreciated attending and speaking at the Healthy Youth Summit today! It’s so important to open lines of communication about healthy relationships through sport. Sports can be a fantastic way to learn several life lessons and it’s always helpful to keep at the forefront what it can teach you both on and off the ice.” 



Joe Connor, Northeastern University Men's Hockey Team:



"Attending the Healthy Youth Summit was an eye-opening experience. Being able to engage in discussions with other athletes and leaders really highlighted how essential open conversations are to building strong teams. It’s not just about on-ice performance—it’s about understanding each other off the ice too. It’s these types of discussions that really bring us closer."  



Jason P. Wheeler, Director, Safe Schools Program for LGBTQ Students: 



"It is an honor to partner with the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Human Trafficking. Their leadership in centering prevention, safety, and belonging for young people is critical to building healthier, more inclusive communities. On behalf of the Safe Schools Program for LGBTQ Students, a collaborative initiative of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth, we were proud to offer a session on creating welcoming school communities that support all students, families, and staff."  



Julia Gould, Vice President of Account Services and Operations, MORE



"MORE Advertising is proud to continue our partnership with the Commonwealth on the RESPECTfully campaign, helping to promote healthy relationships among Massachusetts youth. This newest chapter—focused on supporting teens through breakups—reflects our shared commitment to meeting young people where they are, with real, relatable guidance rooted in empathy and empowerment. Every element of the campaign is shaped by our youth ambassador group to ensure the content feels authentic and relevant to teens today. "   



Shael Norris, Executive Director, SafeBAE: 



“SafeBAE is proud to have joined today’s Healthy Youth Summit, where youth Fellows from Central Catholic High School in Essex County led a workshop on how students can lead change in dating violence prevention. It’s time for every school to recognize dating violence prevention as a critical part of social and emotional learning — and we invite students to use our free resources to turn today’s momentum into lasting action.” 



Nicole Powell, Clinical Research Specialist at the Digital Wellness Lab, Boston Children’s Hospital:



“We were proud to join the Governor Council’s Healthy Youth Summit to amplify young people’s voices and explore how communication, boundaries, and belonging online are essential to well-being and healthy relationships. It’s inspiring to see Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and the Council prioritize authentic youth engagement and create space for honest conversations that bridge digital and real-world connections.” 



Caroline Berz, Train The Trainer, World History and Women and Gender Studies, Cambridge Ridge Latin School:



“Bringing high school students together to lead and learn about healthy relationships, power dynamics, consent and building productive and strong teams is an essential part of a thriving and democratic education. Thank you for this opportunity to let our students shine and share their work and connect with students across the Commonwealth.” 



Scott Parseghian, K-12 Wellness Director/Head Football Coach, Wayland High School:



“As an educator, coach, and parent, I believe deeply in the power of giving young people the tools and confidence to advocate for themselves and others. The Healthy Youth Summit is a powerful platform to inspire lasting change, and I'm grateful to be part of it.”