On Sunday, Oct. 11, about 200 Tarrant County residents assembled at Streams & Valleys Plaza in west Fort Worth for the inaugural Fort Worth Yell Club. The warm afternoon sun reflected off the Trinity River as families, teens, and seniors lined up for matcha lattes from a local coffee truck, danced to upbeat music, and prepared to let out their emotions together.
Community‑focused gathering
Organizer Shiloh Bellinghausen, who previously hosted a Dallas Yell Club, created the event as a way for people to release built‑up stress in a supportive setting. “I was like, all right, I want to yell,” Bellinghausen said, noting that the idea took shape after he lost his mother this past summer and was laid off from a five‑year job. He and his wife Kirsten coordinated the event, providing megaphones and a simple structure: three rounds of collective yelling, each louder and longer than the last.
Participants included 17‑year‑olds Ruby Watson and Morgan Matheny, who arrived with bright red megaphones. Watson described the experience as a blessing, saying, “Yesterday, I really didn’t want to go to work. And I’m like, ‘OK, but you know what? I got Yell Club.’” Matheny echoed the sentiment, noting that the outlet helped her manage stress from the college‑application process.
Family and faith in action
Among the crowd was elementary‑school student Tommy Gilliland, who attended with his parents. His mother, Suezanne Gilliland, was moved to tears after releasing weeks of tension. “The kids aren’t allowed to just run around screaming, you know? It’s really beautiful, everybody can come together,” she said, highlighting the event’s family‑friendly atmosphere.
After the three yelling rounds, attendees lingered to enjoy coffee, share snacks, and meet new friends. Many expressed gratitude to the Bellinghausens for providing a safe space to vent emotions without judgment. “It was amazing. Just seeing all ages, all types of people, everybody’s different backgrounds and stories,” Shiloh remarked.
Looking ahead
The success of the first gathering has inspired plans for a follow‑up event on Oct. 25 at 2 p.m., dubbed “YELL‑OWEEN.” That session will feature a costume contest and additional coffee from The Brown Thumb, encouraging even more community participation.
Both Shiloh and Kirsten Bellinghausen see the Yell Club as a simple yet effective way to strengthen neighborhood bonds. “Sometimes simplicity really is where you find the most joy and community,” Kirsten said. “The odds are that, coming to one of these places, you’ll leave with something good as well.”
The Fort Worth Yell Club exemplifies how grassroots initiatives can address mental‑wellness needs while fostering fellowship among residents of all ages and backgrounds.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
