March 2017

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.

14 y/old female  - student is working with her Youth Project counselor through the grief of losing her father.  Upon meeting with her counselor for the first time she showed relief and said "You have no idea how much this means to me.  I have no one to talk to and no one has offered to help."
17 y/o female - student was removed from her home and placed in foster care.  She was witnessing extreme domestic violence between mother and step-father within the home.  She was also being stalked and assaulted within the home.  She is working with her Youth Project counselor through the transition, creating healthy communication and coping skills.
16 y/o male - student is working with his Youth Project counselor to better communicate with his family.  He recently came out to his parents that he identifies transgender and has experienced negative responses and non-acceptance from his family. 

14 y/o male - junior high student is struggling with the transition of moving to a new area.  He feels depressed and confused by his parent's separation and is working with his Youth Project counselor through the loss of his mother in his life.  
18 y/o male -  student graduated in 2016 and participated in one on one counseling his senior year.  He recently reached out to The Youth Project and expressed that while things haven't turned out exactly how he planned after HS, he still treasures the time spent with YP staff and continues to use the coping skills he learned in his everyday life and just wanted to say "Thank You."

Motivation and Study Skills Group: junior high students are struggling with the pressures they feel about beginning high school.  Students are experimenting with drugs, stating: "We have to be prepared for high school, we don't want to be clueless."  Youth Project staff is working to replace those risky behaviors with healthier coping skills.

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 34,000 families.  
To learn more about us and how you can help visit www.HelpNotHassle.org