Kimberly Sprecher and Meaghan Josh are each involved Teen Life Skills, a new program that works with at-risk teens.

New program aimed at helping at-risk teens

The term-long class has student mentors that earn credits and give teens a positive outlook

By: Rachel Spitler

Posted: 3/15/07

A dozen people are crowded into one kitchen, laughing and milling among meatloaf, pasta, broccoli, cornbread and brownies. One student, observing a particularly fierce splatter of hot grease, turns around and shouts to the room, "FYI, people - do not cook naked!"

This is Teen Life Skills, a new term-long program that will be holding its first graduation on March 19.

The class aims to teach at-risk youth the skills they need to transition into adult life. It is operated by the Oregon Family Support Network, and its teachers and mentors include seven students from OSU.

The cooking class Monday night was just one of numerous hands-on activities the group has done this term. The variety of classes has ranged from how to change a tire to how to apply for a job - including a trip to Goodwill for interview clothes.

The group has discussed communication, financial planning and personal health. They also received a visit from Male Advocates for Responsible Sexuality. A few weeks ago the group even took a private tour of the local police station.

The program is designed for youth between the ages of 16 and 18 who have behavioral or emotional issues, who suffer from mental illness, or who come from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Brandi Steiner, regional director of the Oregon Family Support Network and supervisor of the program, said that they often work with "kids from stable families who just don't have the skills to teach them what they need."

Many of the youth involved in the Oregon Family Support Network are spend time at places like youth shelters, the Juvenile Department or the Mental Health Department. Those who work with one of the students from the Teen Life Skills program have been pleased with the effect it's had so far.

"They're pretty committed to seeing something positive happen for that child," Steiner said.

Because the class is so new, there are only three students enrolled. The program is currently funded by a year-long grant from the Accountable Behavioral Health Alliance, with plans to renew it each year.

"I will do my best to keep this program going as long as kids want to come," Steiner said.

Acting as teachers and mentors are seven OSU students, most of whom are interns from the Human Development and Family Sciences program. Steiner said that they have been an integral part of the class.

"Even though we have had way more mentors than students, they've kind of acted as role models for the students. It gives them a chance to see what young adulthood can be," Steiner said.

Human Development and Family Sciences intern Stephanie Clark said that she has been enjoying her experience with the students.

"Not only is it teaching them life skills," she said. "It's showing them that somebody really cares, and that we're here for them."

The Oregon Family Support Network is a nonprofit organization that began in 1991 "by families who just wanted to help other families," Steiner said.

The organization offers support groups all over the state for families to come and share their experiences. Dinner and child care are provided, and the meetings are a chance for parents to learn about parenting, and share tips

"Raising a child with behavior issues can be exhausting," Steiner said. "It's probably the hardest job in the world."

She said that children with emotional problems struggle more than adults do because they haven't yet learned to control their thought processes.

"It's not like what the media portrays," said Steiner, citing the typical TV image of mental illness.

"It's a malfunction of the brain," and can be mastered, Steiner said. She added that most people encounter adults who have overcome mental illness every day without realizing it.

However, some young people never get the help and support they need to make it that far and can ultimately wind up in a mental hospital or prison.

One issue the Teen Life Skills class discussed was Measure 11, which specifies a list of crimes (mainly violent crimes) for which 15-year-olds can be tried as adults. Some of them have a minimum sentence of 70 days in the State Penitentiary.

"The more kids we can keep out of there, the better," Steiner said.

As for her own students, she said that she has already seen them start to lift their heads more and become brighter people.

"They want to change, or they wouldn't be here. They want a chance," Steiner said.

Steiner said that they are always looking for new interns and volunteers from a variety of fields, especially males, as most of those participating at the moment are female.

"It's a great program to get involved with," said Meaghan Josh, a junior in history. The only OSU student to be volunteering rather than interning with the group, Josh plans to get her masters degree in high school education and is also involved with the youth shelter system in Portland.

Next term's class begins April 3 and will be taught by LeeAnn Martinez-Lopez, an Oregon Family Support Network volunteer, while Steiner completes her psychology degree at OSU.

The class is held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. The grant-funded program is completely free to participate in and can accommodate up to 20 students. Student registration can be done on the first day of class.