An Environment of Understanding

We Understand:

Youth may develop harmful relationships with substances and experience significant stress:
– Personally
– Socially
– Within the family

Substance use can cause or exacerbate:
– Existing psychiatric disorders
– Peer group and family influences that distort social norms
– Life circumstances that create obstacles to their development

We Respond:

With understanding and recognizing adolescent needs by:
– Acknowledging their inner experiences
– Helping them identify, label and express their feelings
– Offering support, guidance and respect
– Instilling a sense of hope, self-respect and acceptance
– Listening carefully to their words and more importantly to their behavior
– Being culturally aware and responsive

Our Approach

We maximize success by facilitating an experience that:

– Forms a meaningful relationship with an adult role model(s)

– Creates a successful experience in the classroom

– Encourages a sense of hopefulness and self-efficacy

– Defines their unique relationship with substances and helps them envision life without them

– Provides personal wellness activities

– Identifies family need and realistic expectations

– Develops a clear plan for all aspects of their immediate future