our Teens SPRING 2009
YOU CAN HELP YOUR TEEN: FIND A JOB PREPARE FOR
COLLEGE HANDLE
HEARTACHE CONNECT TO SUPPORT
PROGRAMS & MORE v il
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Where Every Family Matters.
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Your Award-Winning Parenting Resource.
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preparing parents for the teen years
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our Teens SPRING 2009
5 hot topics • books for parents and teens, sneaky teens tips, internships, teen service • cool excursions • spotlight on centerstone
go away ... no, stay
O
ne morning you check in on your son and he’s just a little bump asleep in the bed. The next thing you know, his feet are stretching all the way down to the foot of the bed board. It happens that fast. Suddenly his hands are taking on the appearance of a man’s, and he’s pulling away. He wants to be smooth, and he wants nothing to do with you anymore. Only he really does. That’s it. He wants you to back off, but he wants you to be there. Parents make the mistake of thinking that when their teen pulls away he’s ready to be on his own. But he is not. Good parents hang in there. They become invisible support networks for the tumultuous teen years where so much is happening so fast it threatens to separate you from your teen. The best thing you can do is try to understand what he’s going through. Be there — behind the scenes — but available. He needs you. He really does. — susan day
2 our Teens
14 get a job A how-to for helping your
teen start his own business or land a job.
16 handling heartache
When teens fall in love, Mr. Heartache finds his way to their doors. What you should know.
19 road to college
Local experts talk about what colleges look for and how to prep your teen.
22 reach out Support and resources for teens and parents.
PUBLISHER Stewart Day EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Susan Day MANAGING EDITOR Chad Young ASSOCIATE EDITORS Kiera Ashford, Meg Porch
a
ART DIRECTION Ashford, Day and Young PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Tim Henard AD DESIGN Sheila James, Christopher Teague ACCOUNT MANAGERS Teresa Birdsong, Amy Carter, Paige O’Kelley, Larry Prescott, Dallas Smith, Loni Wilhelms WEB MASTER Christopher Teague DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Tom Guardino OUR TEENS is published annually by Day Communications, Inc. Editorial and business offices are located at 2270 Rosa L. Parks Blvd., Nashville, TN 37228. The phone number is 615-256-2158; fax number is 615-2562114. Email to: npinfo@nashvilleparent.com. Although every precaution has been taken to ensure accuracy of published material, OUR TEENS cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors. OUR TEENS is copyright ©2009 by Day Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
“
No matter how independent people think they are, other people still influence their thoughts and their decisions. I always said that I would never give in to peer pressure, but it wasn’t as easy as I thought.” — Tyler T., age 16
our Teens 3
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It’s time for teens to GET REAL about Substance Abuse Prevention • HIV/AIDS Education
•
hot topics
t stu ligh
ff, tough stuff and k eepin u go g-an-eyeo y s a f f u on-it st when you don’t know what to do: READ!
G
ood books are helpful when the going gets tough with your teenager. “Like, Whatever” The Insider’s Guide to Raising Teens (Capital Books: $16.95), edited by Rebecca Kahlenberg, is an excellent collection of expertly written essays on subject matters from money to driving to risk-taking and more ... The Triple Bind by Stephen Hinshaw, Ph.D., (Ballantine; $25) focuses on the pressures teenage girls face to be impossibly perfect in every way ... and Dr. Ruth’s Guide to Teens & Sex Today from Social Networking to Friends with Benefits (Teachers College Press; $13.95) is voiced in Dr. Ruth’s openlyfrank style.
go global with teen service
G
lobal Leadership Adventures (GLA), one of the leading teen service groups in the nation, offers life-changing experiences for high school students. Meaningful and exciting adventures through GLA provide a way for teens to serve, learn and explore. Learn more about this major outreach group by visiting globalleadershipadventures.com. For more service projects for teens, visit parentworld.com and click on Our Teens/service in the magazine rollover.
TOP SELLERS YOUR TEEN’S SUMMER READING
B
uy him a book ... he’ll be glad you did!
The Twilight Saga (Little, Brown Young Readers) by Stephanie Meyer The Alchemyst (Delacorte) by Michael Scott The Help (Putnam) by Kathryn Stockett The Book Thief (Knopf) by Markus Zusak The Graveyard Book (HarperCollins) by Neil Gaiman Hunted: A House of Night (St. Martin’s Pres) by PC Casat, Kristin Cast The Last Thing I Remember (Thomas Nelson) by Andrew Klavan The Sorceress (Delacorte) by Michael Scott
our Teens 5
hot topics light stuff, tough stuff a
nd ke eping -an-eye -on-it stuff as you go
finding an internship
A
summer internship is a great way for your teen to gain skills that will help him develop the professional talents he’ll need in a future career. Most internships don’t pay exceptionally well or don’t pay at all, so don’t count on money. Be realistic, and understand that there are many other benefits to finding an internship other than cold hard cash. To get started: Make three lists: One with your teen’s strengths and interests, one with his weaknesses and one with his long-term goals. Once you’ve done this with your teen, look at the lists. Then, together, think of the types of jobs he could possibly explore for an internship. Make a list of those jobs, keeping them realistic. Next, help him create a resumé outlining his skills. The final step is to look in newspapers and local company Web sites to keep your eyes open for the type of internship that he wants. When you locate possibilities, have him send his resumé in with a cover letter. About one week later, he should follow-up
with a phone call.
6 our Teens
10 T
TOP
TEEN TRICKS
he Partnership for a Drug-Free America has an exclusive list of “Top Ten Ways Teens Trick Their Parents” at timetotalk.org. Some teens employ tricky ways to keep their social lives the way they want them, i.e. parent-free. Behaviors parents should look out for include:
Sleep-Over Sneak Outs: Although you may be home when your teen has friends sleep over, it’s possible that while you’re sound asleep your “guests” are sneaking out of your house to either walk somewhere else or be picked up in a car down the street to go to a party.
Turning Water into Wine: An old trick — your teen steals alcohol from your liquor cabinet and then, if necessary, makes up the difference in the bottle’s volume by adding water.
Home Freedom: After school when you are still at work, your child and his friend might congregate at your empty house and do as they please until you arrive. A few hours is plenty of time to experiment.
When the Cat is Away: Your teen insists on going to a friend’s house for the night when you’re going out for the evening. Once you’ve left, your teen returns home to your unsupervised house with a group of friends.
The Cameo Appearance: When attending a school dance, your teen is allowed to leave the dance at any point in the evening. Why is this a problem? Many couples will take their picture at the dance to prove that they attended and then go to an empty house to party. For a complete list of helpful signs for understanding teen behavior, visit TimeToTalk.org.
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hot topics: fun stuff
The Music City Racer at Nashville Shores.
A round-up of local places for teens who want to have fun!
cheatham
AdventureWorks 1300 Narrows Road Kingston Springs 297-2250 • adventureworks.com Zip-line excursions.
davidson
Europa Go-Karts & Golf 621 Old Hickory Blvd. Nashville • 356-0301 europagokartsandgolf.com Go-kart track, mini golf, batting cages, game room. Family Golf Center 5204 Blue Hole Road Antioch • 781-0050 thefamilygolfcenter.com Mini golf, go-karts, batting cages and a driving range. Grand Old Golf & Go-Karts 2444 Music Valley Drive Nashville • 871-4701 grandoldgolf.net Mini golf, go-karts and a gameroom. Laser Quest 166 Second Ave. N., Nashville 256-2560 • laserquest.com Live action laser tag. Nashville Paintball 3020 Brandau Road Hermitage • 885-3988 nashvillepaintball.com Paintball park with rental equipment.
8 our Teens
Nashville Shores 4001 Bell Road, Hermitage 889-7050 • nashvilleshores.com Seven water slides, pools, beaches, lake activities and more. Rocketown 401 Sixth Ave. S., Nashville 843-4001 • rocketown.com Indoor skate park, coffee bar, live music. Wave Country 2320 Two Rivers Pkwy. Nashville • 885-1052 nashville.gov/parks Speed slides, a wave pool and more.
rutherford
Barfield Crescent Park 697 Barfield Crescent Road Murfreesboro • 849-8538 murfreesborotn.gov/parks Frisbee golf course available. GO USA Fun Park 2270 Armory Drive Murfreesboro 895-7888 • gousafunpark.com Mini golf, go-karts and a gameroom. Phazer Kraze 252 River Rock Blvd. Murfreesboro • 895-6950 Live action laser tag.
sumner
Drakes Creek Activity Center 130 Cherokee Road N. Hendersonville 822-0232 • funandenergy.com Mini golf, laser tag, aeroball, hot air balloon rides, a game room and more.
williamson
Laser Chase 215 Gothic Court, Franklin 764-0800 • laserchase.net Live action laser tag. Middle Tennessee Paintball 4215 Kedron Road, Spring Hill 931-334-9673 • themiddletennesseepaintball.com Playing field and rental equipment.
wilson
Cedar Creek Sports Center 10770 Lebanon Road, Mt. Juliet 754-2744 • cedarcreeksportscenter.com Enjoy mini golf, go-karts, batting cages, bumper boats and more. Maple Hill Sports Center 105 Carver Lane, Lebanon 444-3474 • mhsportscenter.com Mini golf, batting cages, aeroball, an arcade and more.
Find more fun teen destinations by clicking on “Our Teens” at parentworld.com.
PREPARING STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE, LIFE AND ETERNITY
READY FOR SUCCESS Davidson Academy students are ready for success in the classroom, on the playing field and in their future lives. Caring teachers and rigorous academic challenge are combined with an array of opportunities to compete, develop personal interests, travel and reach out in service to others. Whenever you’re ready, we’re ready to show you why Davidson Academy is a top-notch choice for your child’s education.
Coming soon to Sumner County! Serving grades Preschool – 12
www.davidsonacademy.com
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hot topics
centerstone helps teens tackle addiction
“
On the road of life, I have no idea where I’m going until I look up and straight ahead.” — Stephanie S., age 18
t
eens may experiment with drugs and alcohol for any number of reasons, but underlying emotional issues are often the root cause. “We are seeing a lot of depression and anxiety with teens,” says Beth Hall, director of school-based services for Centerstone, a local non-profit organization whose mission is to prevent and cure mental illness and addiction, specializing in services for adolescents. “When we help them stop their substance abuse, we find their underlying depression issues rise to the surface,” she adds. Hall says the number one drug of choice she sees among teens is marijuana, and there is a real rise in prescription drugs that are often easily obtainable from the family medicine cabinet. Key warning signs that your teen may be dabbling in drugs include changes in appetite, school behavior, friends and sleep patterns. Other signals to look for are sudden, excessive amounts of secrecy, unexplained outbursts and paranoia. Centerstone provides a range of addiction services for teens in Davidson County Metro high schools and also provides private services in surrounding counties. “The outpatient model we provide in schools includes three months of a treatment protocol followed by three months of maintenance programs,” Hall says. The program includes 12 components to help teens discover and embrace their strengths, find new friends, develop positive communication skills and more. Centerstone also conducts parent sessions. “We meet with the parents and help them understand what their teen is going through and how to communicate,” says Hall. Centerstone follows students in the program wherever they go, even if they get kicked out of school. The adolescent services in Davidson County are currently free of charge and are also available to teens in private school. To learn more about Centerstone, call 463-6600 or visit centerstone.org.
more help Find more local resources in our “Reach Out” directory on page 29.
10 our Teens
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Good News: Spaces are still available for summer! Call now to hold a space! More Good News: You can enroll on-line: www.riverviewcamp.com Great Location: Only 2 hours from Nashville on top of Lookout Mountain in Mentone, AL on the banks of Little River! Excellent Accommodations: Heated pool, great tennis courts and climbing tower, and more! Bathroom and showers in every cabin. Session Options: Both 1- and 2-week sessions for ages 6 to 16! We’re here to serve: Registered nurses on staff, entire full-summer staff is first aid and CPR certified. Carefully selected qualified activity instructors and Christian counselors, who are sensitive to the needs of children! Camper/Counselor Ratio is 5 :1
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“I saw my first river on a mountain, and my first mud-turtle. I rode my first horse. I had campfires every night. I felt close to God. I giggled a lot with my new friends and counselors. I learned more than I ever dreamed I could. The time flew by! I felt safe and secure. I gained confidence in myself through the world around me. As times go, IT WAS ONE OF THE BEST!”… And what child couldn’t use some of that these days?
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Riding English,Western, and Jumping Swimming Heated Pool Ropes Course Tennis • Canoeing Golf • Archery Riflery • Gymnastics Cheerleading • Dance Sports • Soccer Basketball Beach Volleyball Chorus • Drama Arts & Crafts Outdoor Living Skills Aerobics CIT Program Campfires every night Optional trips And more! Limited Spaces Available for Summer 2009 Call TODAY!
teens, jobs and elbow grease Every teenager needs to earn and save money. A little ingenuity can go a long way.
s
o it’s time for your teen to get beyond the lemonade stand and get a real, paying job, right? With unemployment high, some real creativity needs to come into play here. Teens may be able to start their own businesses. All it takes is thinking it through and the initiative to follow through. That’s the only difference between the teen who’s already teaching guitar lessons and the one who’s dreaming about it. Here are a few businesses that teens can start on their own — or with a friend — followed by tips for making it happen: A cleaning service. Maybe your teen hates doing chores at home, but getting paid for doing them is completely different. He could offer complete housecleaning services, or specialize in one or more areas, such as attic/basement/garage clean-ups. A yard maintenance service. There is always something that needs to be done in everyone’s neighborhood … mowing lawns and weed control in the spring and summer, raking leaves in the fall and shoveling snow in the winter. A car-detailing business. Very few people have the time to really take care of their cars — your teen could offer a weekly or monthly service of washing, waxing, vacuuming, etc. A music teacher. Lots of parents want a teenager to teach guitar or other instruments to their kids. This is easy to get started with fliers in mailboxes and a reference from your teen’s music teacher at school.
A pet sitting service. Typically more of a summer business when people tend to go on vacation, but your teen can offer a year-round business by offering pet walking, bathing, cleaning, etc. A computer service. Is your teen a whiz with computers and the Web? Many adults are not, and he could make a solid business helping people learn to use PCs and develop Web sites for their families. A cooking service. Does your teen enjoy cooking or baking? If he can provide a service that offers well-cooked meals or home-baked goods, he could do quite well. A painting service. With a little experience and a few friends, he could launch a painting business. People are always renovating. He could offer exterior paint jobs in the nicer months and interiors during the colder months. An errand or delivery service. People need help with all sorts of errands. Your teen could offer grocery shopping services, package mailing, hardware store runs, etc. A tutoring service. If your teen has talent with foreign language, math, science or other subjects, he could offer tutoring sessions to children, teens and adults in your neighborhood. A freelancing service. If your teen is gifted in a certain field, such as writing, drawing or photography, consider him starting a freelance business for invitations, family portraits, etc. Susan Day is the editorial director for this publication.
14 our Teens
BY SUSAN DAY
5 Tips for Landing a Job 1. BE BRAVE
Even in this economy, there are employers looking for the affordable, enthusiastic, and energetic help that teenagers provide, but you have to go out and ask for it. Don’t let yourself be discouraged by news of the economy, and don’t be afraid to apply for jobs.
2. BE PREPARED
Bring a resumé and a cover letter whenever you apply for a job. Teens are competing with adults for jobs now, and having a well-written resumé is essential. It shows that you are serious about the position and that you are mature and responsible. Look online for samples of resumés to get your teen started.
3. BE POLITE
When applying for a job, dress up, make eye contact, shake hands and avoid using slang. First impressions matter — they are your chance to prove yourself — so take advantage of the opportunity.
4. BE PERSISTENT
Persistence pays off. Send thank-you notes to interviewers. Follow-up with a phone call if you do not hear about the job after a week, and keep applying.
5. BE CREATIVE
Look for work in places other than the mall. The weak economy means that people are going to be looking to cut costs in areas such as lawn and child care. Get a few friends together and start a landscaping or a baby-sitting business. — sd
“
Learning how to apply for a job isn’t really taught in school ... why isn’t it?” — Max W., age 16
our Teens 15
BY KAREN DYER
breaking up
is hard to do Relationships of the heart are all-encompassing. You need to know how to handle it when your teen is in love.
“Y
ou don’t understand. I love him!” she wailed from behind the locked bedroom door. Helpless, I stood outside. It was so easy when my daughter was young — just kiss the boo-boo, put a Band-Aid on it and the pain would magically go away. Now, at 16, she was suffering from her first heartbreak, and nothing I could say or do would make it better. All the adult wisdom and experience I shared with her wouldn’t stop the tears. Only when she and a friend performed a ceremonial shredding of his picture, did she seem on the road to recovery. Teenage romance in the 21st century and heartbreaks are about as inevitable as the four seasons. It’s not a question of will it happen, but when, and how your teen will handle it. For some teens, all it takes is a quick cry and they are on to the next relationship. For others, it can lead to prolonged depression, especially in high school when they share groups of friends and their identities are intertwined with one another. Add to that such public forums as MySpace and the repercussions of a nasty break-up can reach much farther than the school hallways. This can leave parents at a loss to understand their teenager’s emotions, as the world of dating and “going steady” is very different now from when parents were teens.
16 our Teens
“Teenage romances have changed due to the way media portrays romance and to the fact that children are reaching puberty faster,” says Allison Edwards, LPC, a local counselor who specializes in treating children and adolescents. “Romantic relationships often become a priority for teens. They are more likely to choose their significant other over their friends, family or school work, but are often unable to see the consequences of this ahead of time.” When teens get into an intimate relationship, they can alienate their friends and drop out of favorite activities to spend more time with each other. lf a breakup occurs, the unsuing drama can make going to school and social events emotionally difficult — at least for awhile. Technology plays a role in teenage relationships now more than ever. Not only can computer social networks make a break-up more public, these forums can be used for revenge as warring parties air their disagreements by posting nasty messages and pictures on Web sites. In addition, the Internet provides teens who might be lonely or on the rebound a chance to get involved with chat room relationships that can prove risky. This is why it is important to discuss with teenagers the dangers of putting information online, Edwards advises.
Taking Sides
“People get kind of upset when a couple breaks up. They get in little arguments. If it is within a group of friends, people pick sides. Boys side with boys; girls side with girls. It can get kind of rough, but things usually sort themselves out,” says Lindsey Davison, a David Lipscomb eighth grader. Nashville School of the Arts sophomore Markus McClain says that 50 - 75 percent of students he knows are in relationships, which can lead to some pretty dramatic situations when the couples part ways — especially for girls, he says, because they are “more emotional and more sensitive.” “At my school,” McClain says, “everyone is in everyone else’s business. You have more of a support group, but people gossip more and it affects more people.” Hume Fogg High School senior Nick Currier agrees that girls are more emotional, but says break-ups can be just as hard on boys, especially if the former couple attends the same school. “I was in a relationship last year,” says Currier. “It took me a long time to get over it because we didn’t talk a lot afterward. We never reconnected. I had to see her every day. It was hard. I finally got over it during the summer,” he adds. Break-ups of long-term relationships can last even after high school, according to Lesa Abney, whose daughter went through a rough relationship her senior year in high school. The couple shared classes and a circle of friends, which made moving on after the relationship more difficult. “It took her a good six to seven months to recover. She finally got over it when she left home and went to college,” Abney says. “People took sides. It affected her school work because they had a lot of classes together. Boys are not nearly as dramatic as girls. Their friends don’t get involved as much,” Abney adds.
Harmful Relationships
So while matters of the heart are what teens will go through, there’s another area that is not as typical and more troublesome: How can you know if your teen’s relationship is potentially harmful? “When teens start pulling away from friends or family or exhibit signs of great sadness or distress — those are signs that the relationship may be unhealthy,” says Edwards. “The best way that parents can help their teens is by modeling healthy relationships themselves. In the case of single par-
ents, it is helpful to talk about what healthy relationships look like,” Edwards adds. For those teens who are reluctant to talk to parents, trusted teachers and guidance counselors can be a good place to turn for unbiased advice, although most students agree that teachers don’t often get involved, unless asked. When break-ups do happen, most teens still want their parents’ reassurance — even if from a distance. They want them to be encouraging, keep the lines of communication open and definitely not dismiss their feelings as a simple case of “puppy love.” “It is important for parents to remember that their teen’s feelings are real and acknowledge them as such,” says Edwards. First love relationships are often the hardest to recover from, so it is important to be patient with teens and not dismiss the strong reactions to their relationships. “Parents need to be involved,” Abney agrees. “They need to know what is going on with the relationship, and they need to be there when it ends.” Karen Dyer is a local freelance writer and mother.
warning signs of an unhealthy teen relationship • Avoiding family and friends • Sadness and withdrawal • Allowing the significant other to: • Act extremely jealous over time spent with others • Criticize appearance • Make your teen quit an activity that he or she enjoys • Have fits of anger (hitting walls, throwing objects) • Force your teen to go further physically than is wanted
our Teens 17
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BY CHAD YOUNG
the road “ to college
Those who set easy goals are simply scared of failure. Push yourself better than your best.” — Matthew C., age 16
Start early and keep on course while navigating the path to higher education.
“C
hoosing a college is like purchasing a car,” says Brentwood High School Guidance Counselor Dan Winfree. “You’ve got to test drive them,” he adds, referring to a high school student’s necessity to start the search early and thoroughly investigate each option before making a final decision about where to spend the next four years in higher education.
The Early High School Years Since the college application process usually starts in the fall of the senior year, a student’s academic achievement in grades 9 - 11 is the first thing a prospective college will look at. However, it’s not just the grades that are important, but also the kind of classes a student has taken. “The first thing a college or university will look for is the student’s academic preparation and everything that is included in that,” says Kathy Baugher, associate provost and dean of enrollment services at Belmont University. She adds that colleges scrutinize the difficulty of the high school curriculum and how well the student did in it along with his overall ability to succeed. Baugher says students should take a solid college preparatory curriculum that includes math, English, science, history and languages, emphasizing the importance of taking honors courses in the subjects where their talents and interests lie. “The first advanced placement (AP) class a student can take is in his sophomore year,” says
Winfree, who suggests taking one or two more during the junior and senior years, reiterating the importance of taking AP classes versus standard options. Aside from grades, extracurricular activities add a lot of color to the college application. “Institutions have personalities, too, and look for students who are a good fit considering what activities they were involved with during high school,” says Baugher. Winfree agrees. “Colleges are looking at the wholeness of the applicant. They seek students involved in clubs, sports, community service, etc.,” Winfree says. “A big factor that serves as a feather in the cap is any kind of leadership position,” he adds.
Starting the Search Baugher and Winfree agree that the earlier the better when it comes to scouting out schools of interest. “The Internet has shortened the process,” says Winfree. Web sites like
(please turn the page)
our Teens 19
Peterson’s (petersons.com) are a more complete feel for the valuable in helping students university as well. find schools that fit their criteria. “During a more informational more online First and foremost, students interview, schools want to get should decide what that criteria to know the student better, Find the top 10 things is and what’s important in the to match things up, to see if colleges look for along school they want to attend. there’s a fit,” says Baugher. with local ACT and SAT Factors to consider are loca“However, the more competitive test prep businesses tion, size, cost, student body, the school or major, the more academics, special activities, the interview is a big piece of online at parentworld.com housing, campus life, setting, the admission process and under “Guides & religious affiliation and more. decision.” Directories.” Students should attend Baugher says students information sessions and camshould be prepared to say, pus visits whenever possible, “This is who I am and why I’m as early as the sophomore a good fit.” If there are any year. Take the opportunity to gaps or holes anywhere in visit schools during family vacations if traveling the academic record, be prepared to answer through a town where there is a college of interthat. “Schools also want to know that the student est. “During the junior year, schedule another is an inquisitive learner,” Baugher adds. “What visit, meet with professors who teach in the area students do outside of the classroom on their own of interest and sit in on classes,” Baugher says is important.” Questions may range from “What about narrowing the search. is the most recent book you’ve read for fun?” to During the student’s junior year, he should take “What is your greatest personal accomplishment both college placement tests: the ACT and SAT. to date?” Both exams test intellect in different ways. Neither test weighs more heavily than the other, but some Scholarships colleges do have preferences between the two Tuition is a big factor on the college-bound path, and most accept both scores. Both tests are and securing scholarship money often tips the offered for a limited amount of time each year at scales on where a student will attend. select local high schools and universities. To find “Most scholarships are through the individual ACT test dates, visit actstudent.org; to find SAT universities themselves, and students want to be test dates, visit collegeboard.com. sure they’ve done everything to get their names Keep in mind that college admissions counselin the hat,” says Winfree. “When applying to ors initially only see the first three years of high a school, be sure check with the Financial Aid school grades, but that doesn’t mean it’s OK to Office for scholarship opportunities. Schools are slack off during the senior year. Institutions where trying to attract students, and they’ll usually do students apply WILL receive final grades after whatever it takes to get them there.” the senior year, and if grades slip, so might the In addition to school-based scholarships, college’s interest. there are other local and national ones out there. Fastweb.com is a great place to start. Students The College Interview can enter their information, intended majors and Some schools require an interview while others career objectives, and the site helps them find offer them. Remember, interviews are a two-way scholarship opportunities that can range from street. They provide the school with a much bet$1,000 to more than $40,000. ter view of the applicant, and the student can get Chad Young is managing editor for this publication.
20 our Teens
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423-265-0455 campocoee.com 301 West 6th St, Chattanooga TN 37402 LOCATED ON OCOEE LAKE IN THE CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST
reach out resources at your fingertips
for teens Alanon/Alateen 333-6066 • middletnalanon.org Alcohol rehab for teens.
Bethany Christian Services 242-0909 bethany.org/nashville
Counseling, support groups, adoption services and more for those with unplanned pregnancies.
Bethlehem Centers of Nashville • 329-3386 bethlehemcenters.org
Promotes self-reliance and positive life choices for teens.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee Main • 833-2368 Fairview • 799-1880 Franklin • 794-4800 North Nashville • 320-5106 South Nashville • 686-8100 West Nashville • 341-0101 bgcmt.org Murfreesboro • 893-5437 Smyrna • 223-9400 bgcrc.net
Programs for youth ages 17 and younger include character, leadership, education and career development, health and life skills, and more.
Catholic Charities 352-3089 • cctenn.org
Individual and group pregnancy counseling for teens and parents.
Centerstone 463-6600 • centerstone.org
Adolescent programs include drug/ alcohol treatment, crisis intervention, HIV/AIDS education and more.
Child Advocacy Center of Rutherford County • 867-9000
Counseling and psychological services for sexually abused children.
22 our Teens
Crisis Intervention Center 244-7444 crisiscntr.org
Suicide prevention, counseling and outreach.
Cumberland Crisis Pregnancy Center 264-4673
Information on sexually transmitted diseases, an abstinence education program for students, counseling and support for pregnant teens.
Cumberland Heights 352-1757 cumberlandheights.org
Outpatient and residential substance abuse treatment and counseling.
Grace Pregnancy Resource Center 331-8958 nashvillepregnancyhelp.com
Information on sexually transmitted diseases, abstinence, preventing pregnancy and support for pregnant teens.
Hope Clinic for Women 321-0005 hopeclinicforwomen. org
Provides counseling, prevention education, support, an abstinence program, education on sexually transmitted diseases, medical support and HIV testing.
Guns in School Hotline Davidson • 232-2486 Sumner • 230-8477 Rutherford • 893-7867 Williamson • 794-4000 Wilson • 444-5245
For students to anonymously report guns in their schools.
Mercy Ministries of America 831-6987 mercyministries.org
Provides counseling and education for drug and alcohol addictions, depression, eating disorders, physical and sexual abuse, unplanned pregnancies and self-endangerment.
The Jason Foundation 800-SUICIDE jasonfoundation.com
Information, tools and resources for teens at-risk for suicide.
National Runaway Switchboard 800-RUNAWAY
Youth and family crisis line for teens thinking about running away or those who already have.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-784-2433
Counseling and help for teens contemplating suicide.
National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline 866-331-9474
Twenty-four hour resource for teens dealing with abusive relationships.
Oasis Center • 327-4455 Crisis Line • 866-975-FREE oasiscenter.org
Crisis and substance abuse counseling, assistance for runaway/ homeless teens.
One in Teen • 321-7288 one-in-teen.org
Support group for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and questioning teens.
Our Kids Center 341-4911 • ourkidscenter.org
Medical and psychological services for ages 17 and younger who have experienced sexual abuse.
Pregnancy Support Center 893-0228 • boropregnancy.org
Help and support for pregnant teens plus an abstinence program.
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network 800-656-HOPE • rainn.org
Help for teens suffering from any kind of sexual abuse.
Rape & Sexual Abuse Center 259-9055 • sacenter.org Crisis Line • 800-879-1999
Individual counseling for teen victims of sexual abuse.
Rolling Hills Hospital 628-5700 • psysolutions.com/ facilities/rollinghills/
An acute psychiatric and chemical abuse facility for teens.
Volunteer Behavioral Health Care System Rutherford County • 893-0770 Sumner • 452-1354 or 824-5801 Williamson County • 794-9973 Wilson • 758-9919 vbhcs.org Crisis intervention, counseling, substance abuse services.
for parents Alcohol & Drug Council of Middle Tennessee 269-0029 • adcmt.org
Information, prevention and recovery services.
D.A.R.E. 800-223-DARE • dare.com
A program for parents and educators to help kids avoid involvement in drugs, gangs and violence.
Drug Hotlines Davidson • 244-3673 Rutherford • 895-3609 Sumner • 230-8477 Williamson • 790-2691
Call to report drug activity in your neighborhood.
Eating Disorder Coalition of Tennessee 831-9838 • edct.net
Help and support for victims and families with eating disorders.
Gang Hotline • 862-4264
Safe Place • 327-4455
Hotline for reporting local gang activity in the greater Nashville area.
Teen Edge • teenedge.com
Hope Clinic for Women 627-2794 hopeclinicforwomen.org
Safety, shelter, resources, support and counseling for youth in crisis. Nashville’s online resource for teens by teens.
Tennessee Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence 800-356-6767 tnblue.org Help and support for victims of sexual assault, domestic and teen dating violence.
Provides counseling for parents of pregnant teens.
Instantamber.com An online resource to help recover abducted or lost children by providing law enforcement with information through accessing the child’s profile.
The Jason Foundation 264-2323 jasonfoundation.com
Instructs parents and educators on teen suicide prevention.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving 360-8055 • maddtn.org
Public awareness programs and more to keep drunk drivers off the road.
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children 800-THE-LOST missingkids.com
The nation’s resource for preventing child abduction and sexual exploitation.
Parentworld.com
Nashville Parent, Rutherford Parent, Sumner Parent and Williamson Parent’s online resource for local families. Also home for Our Teens online.
The Renfrew Center 800-RENFREW renfrewcenter.com
Women’s mental health facility specializing in the treatment of eating disorders.
The Teen Whisperer 330-8575 learnersedgeconsulting.org
A teen life coach helps bridge the gap of communication between teens and their parents.
Tennessee Drug Awareness Council 385-2251 • tdac.org
Presents programs and conferences to families, schools and groups on the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
Tennessee Missing Children Hotline 800-824-3463
Hotline to report missing or abducted youth in Tennessee.
To add your resource to our directory, send info to chad@daycommail.com.
our Teens 23
Tiffany & Co.
Therapy Systems
Louis Vuitton
Burberry
Brooks Brothers
Juicy Couture
Lacoste
Kate Spade
Wolford
The Cheesecake Factory
Introducing the New Mall Gift Card REWARDS Program Visit themallatgreenhills.com for details
Gift cards available from our mall concierge H I LLSBORO A N D A B B O T T MARTIN ROADS, NASHVILLE • T H E M A L L AT G R E E N H I L L S . C O M