Teens Thirsty For Hope

As I wrap up my first Tools 4 Teens program, I am reminded how incredibly blessed I am to be in a position to make a difference in the lives of teenagers. I think my students would be very surprised to know that I got as much out of this experience as they did!

I firmly believe that it doesn't take a bomb, but rather a simple seed planted in a life that can make a huge impact. To hear, with complete conviction, that you are empowered with the ability to define your future, can be the seed which bears a garden of fruit.

My program took my students on a journey they will not soon forget. We talked about Peer Pressure, Sexual Purity, Anger/Forgiveness, Self-Control and what it takes to live life filled with hope, joy and success. For many, this was the first time they heard these Life Skills and Character Building messages. You could see that they were thirsty for HOPE. They want to know that they can achieve their dreams and live a beautiful life. They want to know that they are valuable and loved unconditionally.

My biggest surprise came when I realized just how much I bonded with each one of these teens in such a short amount of time!! They touched my heart in such a way that I want to be their biggest cheerleader as they achieve each milestone in their lives.

I will not forget any of these precious teens. They each made a mark on my heart which has changed me forever.

-Kelly
(Tools4Teens author)

Teens And Suicide

Anytime a teen decides to take his/her life it is disturbing. But the recent suicide viewed on the internet goes beyond disturbing.

USA Today reported:

When Abraham Biggs broadcast the last moments of his life on the Internet, he joined a small fraternity of troubled young people who gained notoriety through death.

Biggs, 19, broadcast live from a bedroom in his Hollywood, Fla., home Wednesday as he talked of suicide, took pills and lay down to die. Some viewers egged him on, then discussed whether what they had seen was real.

Communication with teens is truly important. Had this teen talked through his feelings, this may been avoided.

Our prayers go out to this young teen's family.

This Friday I will be teaching my third class at Paul Revere Middle School. Not only do we have some awesome teens in this program, we also have some pretty creative scrapbookers!

Each week the teens will be taught one lesson from the Tools 4 Teens book and then asked to journal their attitude and goals relating to the topic of the week. With pictures taken from our staff photographer, the teens will create scrapbook pages using photos of themselves, fun and colorful paper and inspirational stickers.

The teens were very excited to hear that they will each receive a customized copy of Tools 4 Teens at the conclusion of this program. I will be writing a special letter to them on our Dedication Page and sign their personal copy.

For many, this is an introduction to relevant issues such as peer pressure, sexual purity, spiritual gifts, consequences of substance abuse and forgiveness. The objective of the Tools 4 Teens program is to build character and sharpen life skills. The creative writing element gets the teens thinking forward by setting healthy goals for their life.

We have many fun and creative things in store for these teens. Red carpets, heavy bricks, positive affirmation among the group and $20 bills will all be used as ways for the teens to connect with the topic. It will be an experience they will not soon forget.

The overall mission of the 7-week program is to build character and teach tools resulting in positive and healthy lifestyle choices.

To find out how you can bring the Tools 4 Teens program to your organization, contact 832-606-6026

Teen Program Gives Hope

This week I made a trip to Cleveland, Texas to visit the Cleveland Correction Center which houses 550 convicted felons.

The purpose of my trip was to observe PEP founder, Catherine Rohr. The Prison Entrepreneurship Program, which began in 2004 by Ms. Rohr is a Godsend for the inmates who enroll in her program.

My intention was to be a "fly on the wall" and simply observe Ms. Rohr's communication with her students. This was important to me as I prepare to teach the content of Tools 4 Teens to a group at at-risk kids beginning Oct. 24th.

Ms. Rohr was delayed several hours so I was asked if I wanted to spend some time with the inmates.

There began the most incredible two-hour journey I have had in a long time. I was able to ask many questions of the inmates who were all considered at-risk teens at one time.

I faced a room full of gangsters, robbers, murderers and drug dealers and was truly blessed by their respect towards me.

Every inmate had a piece of advice or comment which enriched me beyond words. I feel like I gained incredible insight which I will use in my upcoming program at the Paul Revere Middle School.

It is easy to look past the human being to the crime committed, but I will tell you with complete certainty that 90% of the inmates I met would NEVER have landed in prison had they been loved, respected, protected and guided as children.

I was profoundly blessed by this experience. These inmates don't want our pity. They want hope that they can turn from all the negative and painful experiences of their lives and become what God intended.

-Kelly (co-author of Tools4Teens)

Drug Dogs in Schools and Teens who Abuse

A teenage girl in a high school recently told her Mom about a friend who was acting strange in class. He was messing with his shoe and spraying stuff all over them. She commented about why he was spraying his shoes and he replied, "I like the smell."

A few minutes later another friend asked to be excused to go to the restroom. Later, the teenage girl learned that the boy was spraying his shoes so that the drug dogs would not find his stash. The other friend had gone to the principle to report what had happened. The boy was expelled permanently from the private, Christian school.

Many schools all around the United States use drug dogs to help deter drug usage. Some are caught but many learn how to escape the system.

Raising drug free teenagers in today's society can seem impossible but it's not. There is hope for the many parents who struggle with this issue.

SageWalk therapist, Laurie Wilmok, gives great advice to parents who are seeking to raise drug-free teens in a drug-filled society.

Teen Issue Increasing: Cyber-Bulllying

Many parents are unaware of the stress and emotional issues their teens may be facing when it comes to cyber-bullying.

Basically cyber-bullying is bullying that happens online or via other high-tech devices prevalent in teens lives today. Common tactics include photos, gossip, humiliation, and slander.

Teens text more than talk, use social sites such as MySpace and FaceBook, e-mail, talk in chat rooms and blogs which increases the probability of being cyber-bullied. The New York Times states,

Research indicates that as many as 75 percent of teens have been bullied online, but only one in 10 have reported the problem to parents or other adults, a new study shows.

Because teens are not talking to others about the bullying, they tend to think they are the only ones on the receiving end of such attacks. Many feel the need to deal with the problem alone and are missing the help they need to deal with such emotionally charged feelings.

Communication and education is key to helping your teen avoid being bullied online. If they are educated and find themselves being victimized by a cyber-bully, they will most likely talk to someone about it and be equipped with the tools necessary to handle the issue without it destroying them emotionally.

Talking to Your Teen About Sex

Teen pregnancy is in the forefront in the news. It seems that everyone has an opinion about what is appropriate behavior and what is not. Some choose to condemn, others err on the side of grace.

All the attention could be a great time to talk to your teen about sex. Not sure how to talk to your teen or need some help?

Try these two helpful resources:

Tools4Teens: Personalized Scrapbook that deals with the issue of teen sex
Focus On The Family: What Your Teens Need to Know About Sex

Talking to your teen about sex may seem overwhelming and scary, but just like any other difficult lesson, it must be taught. You, as a parent, influence your teen's decisions even if you do not feel you do. So talk to your teen often and keep the lines of communication open, as it depends on you.

Arm yourself with helpful resources, pray, and get talking.