Pubdate: Sun, 20 Jun 2004
Source: Times-Picayune, The (LA)
Copyright: 2004 The Times-Picayune
Contact:  http://www.nola.com/t-p/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/848
Author: Lisa von Eberstein

AGENCY THAT AIDS TEENS FINDS ITSELF IN TROUBLE

Cash Crunch Puts Nonprofit At Risk

YouthTruth of Slidell seeks the truth from troubled teens through therapy 
and education so the teens can be empowered and overcome adversity.

But the truth is, the free services the organization offers will soon end 
if financing is not replenished.

YouthTruth is a nonprofit organization established in 2002 that serves the 
needs of at-risk youths ages 11 to 17 in the Slidell area. Licensed 
clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors and certified 
recreation therapists provide individual, group and family therapy, 
including outpatient substance abuse treatment, to youths who desire the 
services and to those mandated by the courts. A certified teacher is 
available for tutoring.

In August 2002 the organization was awarded a grant from the state 
Department of Social Services for teenage pregnancy prevention. The 
$200,000 grant was from the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families fund. 
The grant was to be renewable for a second year, but according to 
YouthTruth clinical director Randy Weaver, the funds were moved to the 
Department of Education and have not been available since September 2003.

"It threw us for a loop," Weaver said. "We've been applying for grants from 
private foundations, corporations, government entities. So far we haven't 
had any luck with that."

"We're paying the rent out of our pockets," he said of himself and 
executive director Christopher Russell.

Weaver said YouthTruth would have held fund-raisers and sought donations 
had it been known that financial aid would end. He is hoping YouthTruth 
will receive a federal grant for teen pregnancy prevention from the 
Department of Health and Hospitals in July. "We continue to apply for 
grants. We're hoping to hear back soon," said Weaver.

"They need help. This is something in the community that is so needed," 
said Joan Dilkey, guidance counselor at Salmen High School in Slidell. 
Dilkey said she often refers her students to YouthTruth. "For kids who are 
trying to stay on the straight and narrow, they have support groups. I'm so 
glad to have this for our community."

Weaver said he wants to see the facility stay open because many of the 
troubled youths they see would not otherwise get treatment. "The people 
that need it the most are the ones who don't have the money to pay for such 
services," he said.

YouthTruth is accepting community donations. Clinical social workers and 
certified therapists also are needed to volunteer their services a few 
hours a week. To donate or to volunteer, call 639-8040. YouthTruth is at 
1000 Caruso Blvd., suite 261.

Weaver said the organization targets youths with behavioral problems, 
substance abuse and delinquency. He said the group seeks to reduce juvenile 
offenses, teen drug use, anger problems, teenage pregnancies and other 
adolescent struggles through the use of therapy in a "teen-friendly" 
environment.

"To break some of the resistance kids come in with, we shoot a game of 
pool," Weaver said.

The primary activity of YouthTruth is an after-school enrichment program 
called Youth Solutions. The program offers an appealing atmosphere with 
activities such as billiards, foosball, pingpong, table games, arts and 
crafts, music, basketball and volleyball at a 6,000-square-foot facility at 
the Slidell Factory Outlets. Officers with the Slidell Police Department 
often are on hand to join in the games.

During such activities situations arise for conflict resolution, problem 
solving, anger management and more for which counselors are on hand to 
facilitate. Clients are routinely invited into small focus groups to 
address their issues. Through therapy, educational assistance, experiential 
and recreational therapies, drug counseling and community policing, 
YouthTruth helps teens to peacefully and lawfully exist in the community.

YouthTruth offers a weekly parenting class to help facilitate healthy 
communication skills and offer parents tips on setting boundaries and 
discipline techniques for their children.

The organization also offers an outpatient substance abuse program focusing 
on complete abstinence from mood-altering chemicals.

Sex education also is discussed. "Our message had to be and was 
consistently abstinence," Weaver said.

This summer, YouthTruth is offering substance abuse treatment services to 
25 teens who were sent from the juvenile drug courts.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D