Teen newsletter Fall 2013

en Center e T A C M Y in a t n u Fo er Winter Newslett Volume 1, Issue 1

November, 2013

Inside this issue:

5th Annual Jingle Bell 5k

Mother and Daughter Self Defense Workshop

2

Suicide Prevention Parent Workshop

2

A Romantics Mind

2

Art Club at the YMCA Teen Center

3

5k Registration: (On-line, in person, or by mail)

Growth and Youth Development

3

$23 on or before Dec 10 (includes t-shirt)

Missed school and low graduation rate

3

$30 after Dec 10/Race Days Registration (t-shirt based on availability)

Teen Center is Making a Difference

4

Registration begins at 8:00 am on race day at race location

Date: Saturday, Dec 14, 2013 Start Time: 5k begins at 9:30am Location: Fountain Valley YMCA

Packet Pick-Up: Fountain Valley YMCA Friday, Dec 13, 6:00am7:00pm

This holiday season, the Fountain Valley YMCA invites friends and family to run for a great cause during the 5th Annual Jingle Bell 5k.

This event will help raise money to support the Teen Center at the Fountain Valley YMCA. The Teen Center provides a safe and empowering community for teens to grow. It’s an after school haven where students participate in many activities, including college workshops; book, nutrition and physical activity clubs; and where they can access a library, musical instruments and explore their creative side.

Saturday, Dec 14, 8:00am -9:15am

Questions, Comments, Ideas?

Contact: Teressa Johnson 21st Century Program Director Teressa.johnson@ppymca.org 719.382.1562

Need More Information: Teressa Johnson, Race Director Teressa.johnson@ppymca.org 719.382.1562

About The Fountain Valley YMCA Teen Center Welcome to the Fountain Valley YMCA Teen Centers first seasonal newsletter.

We are very excited to share with you upcoming events, updates and student work.

The Teen Center is located in the Welte Education Center.

It is an after school program, that includes daily snack, enrichment and educational

clubs, volunteer activities, college preparation, tutoring and mentoring, and the school library. We do not stop there; we also support the whole family unit. We offer computer labs to parents and host regular parent workshops.

The Teen Center is open Monday through Friday, 3:30 to 6:00. The Teen Center is free to Welte Students and families.

Please contact us if you have any questions, comments or ideas.

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Fountain YMCA Teen Center

Mother and Daughter Self Defense Workshop Date: Saturday, Jan 25, 2013 Time: 8:30 am to 9:30 am Location: Fountain Valley YMCA Registration: FREE Welte and Second Chance Students and Families w/ School ID $10.00 for individual Member $15.00 for individual Non-Member $15.00 mother and daughter together Member $20.00 mother and daughter together Non-Member Age Range: 10—Adult

In the Women's Self Defense Seminar you will learn a complete approach toward Self Defense. The skills you will learn include:  Preventing trouble before it starts.  Having the mental awareness to recognize potentially dangerous situations as they occur  Defusing potentially dangerous situations  Escaping an assault or buying time until someone can arrive to help  Decreasing the chance of personal injury during an actual assault

This self defense course will teach you a five tiered approach to self defense, the four phases of an attack, how to maintain you and your family's safety in your car, to and from your place of work, and anywhere else you may be.

No martial arts experience necessary Closed toed shoes, comfortable clothing. Women and girls only.

Need More Information: Teressa Johnson Teressa.johnson@ppymca.org

719.382.1562

Pikes Peak Suicide Prevention Parent Workshop Date: Saturday, Jan 18, 2013 Time: 10:00 am to 12:00am Location: Welte Education Center

You are invited! Pikes Peak Suicide Prevention will be coming to the Welte Education, providing a free workshop for parents of the Fountain community. The workshop will inform parents about the risk factors and warning signs of suicide, how to talk to your child about suicide and what to do if they say yes. Light refreshments will be provided.

Despair to Recovery—Art Show Date & Time: December 13th at 5:00pm-8:00pm December 14th at 12:00pm-4:00pm The art show will showcase the art of Children left Behind by Suicide and people who have had thoughts or actions towards suicide.

Location: 704 North Tejon Street, Colorado Springs, 80903

The Romantic’s Mind— By Faith Bourbeau 9th Grade Teen Participant Romance fills my dreams, my heart soaring high

High school can be cruel to a heart like mine,

My dreams ignore reality, I lie

The pain I feel can never really be defined

I lie to myself so I remain sane I keep a protective shield in my brain Flowers and chocolates with boom boxes raised I tend to wander in a dreamlike daze

“The pain I feel can never really be defined”

I fear my bubble is ready to burst, But my dreams tend to have such a great thirst I believe dancing in the rain solves all I crave the romance that will be my fall I refuse to let reality win

Volume 1, Issue 1

Page 3

Photography Club

Growth and Youth Development—Family The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment have addressed some supportive tips of growth and youth development:



Praise teen for successes

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Discuss family expectations

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Set limits on unacceptable behaviors

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Respect teens privacy

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Assign age-appropriate chores and explain the importance of their contribution to the family





Talk to teens about school, teachers, friends and their feelings Support teen by communicating with teachers and becoming involved in the teens school

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Talk to teen about dreams and future goals, including higher education and/or vacations

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Family needs to be supportive of teen’s job responsibilities



Know and meet teens friends

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Be a positive role model, your teens learns from your behaviors

www.cdphe.state.co.us

UP TO 7.5 MILLION STUDENTS MISS A MONTH OF SCHOOL EACH YEAR The nation has been addressing the low graduation rate. With research it has shown that there is a direct correlation of missed school days and dropping out.

With some schools having as much as 40 percent of their students missing a month or more of school each year. These are the students who will not graduate.

Middle School Absences Statistics

High School Absences Statistics

5 missed days = 82% likelihood of graduating

5 missed days = 83% likelihood of graduating

15 missed days = 68% likelihood of graduating

15 missed days = 72% likelihood of graduating

25 missed days = 51% likelihood of graduating

25 missed days = 57% likelihood of graduating

YMCA Teen Center

330 Lyckman Dr. Colorado Springs, CO

Phone: 719.382.1562 Email: teressa.johnson@ppymca.org

What Does The Teen Ce nter Mean To You? “When I need help wit h something I can go to one of the staff members an d talk with them. If it wa s not for them I have no idea where I would be. ” “I love the activities and just talking to the people and staff.”

“I have been encourag ed to go to college, and I have had staff explain to me what I need to do . If it keeps going like this I am going to be a colleg e expert.”

-Teen Center Participants

We are on the Web! www.ppymca.org

Thank You to Those Who Have Volunteered Their Time and Expertise CARMAX

Marine Corps

Books Automotive

Ice Y Hot

Pikes Peak Workforce Center

Heather Sams Fine Portraits

Edward Jones

Fountain Valley Fire Department

Borriello Brothers

Air Force

Texas Roadhouse

Welte Education Center

ENT Federal Credit Union

Care and Share Food Bank

Cheyenne Mountain Resort

Hibbit Sports

Pikes Peak Library Distract— Fountain Branch

Alex Walker