Teen Crisis Intervention Center—Pasadena, California

OVERVIEW

Many community programs today try to better their community become by teaching people and youth about violence. The Teenage Crisis Intervention Center reaches beyond this goal, teaching the teenagers of its neighborhood about life and life management. The Teen Crisis Intervention Center provides counseling for single parents, physically and emotionally abused youth, pregnant teens, AIDS prevention and suicide. The program also addresses community problems including drugs, alcohol, and gang violence. The Teen Crisis Intervention Center provides a mentoring program and various athletic and craft events for the surrounding community.

PROGRAM GOALS

The main goals of this program is to provide counseling for youth to "inspire positive personality growth and the development of effective problem solving skills, while diverting them into constructive activities from delinquent behavior likely to lead them into the juvenile justice system, and to strengthen dysfunctional families."

PROGRAM METHODS

Several different activities that are offered: Step aerobics, boxing, weight training, ballet and tap dancing, hip hop dancing, military discipline training, arts and crafts, basketball, swimming, mentoring, aviation piloting, counseling, and guidance in life skills management. The program also provides field counselors to schools, foster homes, youth authorities, and other agencies needing youth counseling.

PROGRAM OPERATION

The Teen Crisis Intervention Program at the Villa Park Community Center is a non-profit organization staffed by dedicated professionals. The program is funded through donations and the United Way. They also solicit private and corporate sponsors by selling t-shirts designed with personal advertising messages.

IMPLICATIONS

1. There are programs similar to this one all around the country. It is easy to run and maintain with qualified, dedicated people who want to change the lives of at-risk youth.
2. People need to respond to the needs of their particular neighborhood and establish a place where teens can go when they have problems or when they need to talk to someone other than their parents. Sometimes being a friend is more important than being someone’s counselor.

Catharine Lepic cCYS