March 2016

Beyond The Surface.
The Real Life Stories of the Youth Project

The Youth Project is honored to work with so many brave teenagers, willing to share their lives with us.  Each month, we'll bring you firsthand accounts of pain, trauma and hope -- from the teens themselves. Here are a few of their stories.
15 y/o female - student has been dealing with loss of father, exposure to gang violence and drug use among peers. She has been able to maintain sobriety for the past several months and credits meeting with a Youth Project counselor with helping her make better choices in her life. She is now attending school on a more regular basis and enjoys meeting with her counselor. 

16 y/o female - student struggles with issues at home. Mother kicked her out of the home because she doesn't get along with stepfather and is now living with grandparent. She meets weekly with a counselor and said that speaking about her situation keeps her from bottling everything up inside. Because of Youth Project intervention she is improving her ability to manage school and her part time job, while planning for her future. 

17 y/o female - student has faced many traumas, including the incarceration of her father and her older brother's suicide. She struggles with maintaining stable family relationships and is afraid of what it will be like to reach the milestones her brother didn't live to meet. Youth Project counselor is helping to develop better skills in her family and coping skills to handle the grief of her brother's death.
12 y/o male - student is experiencing hardships with parents, sharing that he doesn't "feel like a kid." Both parents are constantly working and he wishes he had a "normal family" where they have time together playing games or watching movies. Student is working to increase communication skills so he can effectively express his wants and needs to his parents.

15 y/o female-  student is experiencing a lack of confidence and bullying at school. Her parents are distant and not supportive. She struggles to find the support she needs to live a healthy and happy lifestyle. The counselor and student are currently using art therapy and music to express herself freely in a safe environment. They are also exploring coping mechanisms to help her manage school bullying and lack of confidence. 

16 y/o female - student struggles with present-day issues of anxiety and self-confidence which are connected to traumatic childhood experiences: losing her house to a fire and her father being murdered. The Youth Project counselor is working with her to develop a better understanding of past traumas and how to cope in healthy ways.
The Youth Project is celebrating 16 years of successfully providing free services to teens in the Santa Clarita Valley. Since their doors opened in 2000, the Youth Project has assisted more than 33,000 local families, including 33,000 youth and 6,000 adults.   
To learn more about us and how you can help visit www.HelpNotHassle.org