Welcome to the At-risk Youth Center
Most young people are doing fine, despite pressures and problems. Some are exceptional leaders. Others struggle from time to time. About a quarter of our adolescents, however, may be considered at risk mostly because they lack the positive social assets researched and described by SEARCH Institute and others.
Lack of support from strong parent figures or role models, absence of positive friends and peer groups, not fitting into main stream adolescent life including school work, having no connection with a faith congregation — all are factors leading to higher risk.
Some signs that may suggest a trend toward a risky or dangerous lifestyle are: connection with anti-social peer groups, cutting school, smoking, drinking, and using pot, early sexual involvement, being less than truthful with parents or care-givers.
When typical adolescent rebellion against parents and authorities crosses a certain line, it becomes defiant behavior needing to be checked. Truancy and dropping out of school, drug and alcohol abuse, teen pregnancy, running away from home and trouble with the law are issues that call for the resources listed here.
Too many parents struggle alone. School officials are sometimes too busy to connect with other social systems. Youth workers often try to help troubled teens without assistance from schools and police. We must all work together. And that includes asking for and accepting help from youth themselves, as well as peer counselors and leaders.