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Links For Teens

Advocates for Youth Teen Page

The Advocates for Youth "Right Respect Responsibility" campaign champions youth activism, advocacy, and youth-adult partnerships.  The site has interesting resources and links on topics like why teen pregnancy rates are lower in Europe, public policy regarding sex education, body image and non-English language sites.

 

20 Below

MaineToday.com's site by and for teens.  Filled with writing by teens, stories on teen issues and local information

 

Outright Maine

Outright's mission is to create safe, positive, and affirming environments for young gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, and questioning people ages 22 and under.  Outright aspires to a youth-driven philosophy in which youth needs and beliefs form decisions, and a collaboration of youth and adults provides support, education, advocacy, and social activities.

 

SHINE: Promoting Non-Violence and Cultural Harmony Among Teens

"SHiNE (Seeking Harmony In Neighborhoods Everyday) is a pro-social youth empowerment organization that uses outlets like music, art, technology and sports to engage and inspire young people to take a stand, use their voice and impact their world. The program is based on a peer-to-peer model, and is the youth component of the White House's National Campaign Against Youth Violence." Website sections are community, contests, buzz, music, gallery, get involved (SHINE Events, starting a SHINE club in your school, submitting artwork), inside out (body image), feed your brain, and message boards. Tips on fighting racism and avoiding violence.

  ...Gender Specific

Zoey's Room

                An interactive website for "tweens", featuring chat rooms, a TV show and local clubs.  Zoey's Room is "the platform for getting girls to be less critical of the computer age, advance their increasing fascination with information technology, and provide a safe haven for them to discuss their personal challenges."

General Resources on Youth Issues

>>....Think Tanks and Information Clearinghouses

www.nccbuscc.org/cchd/povertyusa/tour2.htm

Welfare Information Network: Youth Development

Promising practices, over 100 articles and research summaries on youth development, federal and state initiatives, links to many relevant organizations.

ADOL: Adolescence Directory On-Line (Indiana Univ.)

Guide to information on adolescence issues. Topics include conflict and violence, mental health, health and health risks, counselor resources, teens-only page.

National Youth Development Information Center

Research on youth development; publications; policy info; youth statistics, which includes state profiles, trends, national indicators, profile of American youth, youth risk behaviors, documented need for before- and after-school programs, etc.

Public/Private Ventures

"A national nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the effectiveness of social policies, programs and community initiatives, especially as they affect youth and young adults. In carrying out this mission, P/PV works with philanthropies, the public and business sectors, and nonprofit organizations." Web site is packed with info and has sections on Youth Development, Mentoring, Faith-Based Initiatives, Youth Violence Reduction, Working Ventures, and Workforce Development. Also e-mail list and newsletter.

>>....Factsheets, Articles, Reports, Resource Lists, Handbooks & Journals

Facts for Families (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)

Links to AACAP's fact sheets on many issues, including: Child Abuse, Child Sexual Abuse, The Child with a Long-Term Illness, Children and AIDS, Children and Divorce, Children and Firearms, Children and Grief, Children and Lying, Children and The News, Children and TV Violence, Children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder, The Depressed Child, Foster Care, Gay And Lesbian Adolescents, Helping Teenagers with Stress, The Influence of Music and Rock Videos, Know Your Health Insurance Benefits, Making Decisions About Substance Abuse Treatment, Manic-Depressive Illness in Teens, Multiracial Children, Normal Adolescent Development, Parenting: Preparing for Adolescence, Self-Injury in Adolescents, Talking to Your Kids About Sex, Teenagers with Eating Disorders, Teen Suicide, many more!

Children and Youth Fact Sheets (U.S. Administration for Children and Families)

Fact sheet topics include child welfare, domestic violence, community services programs, child support, TANF, etc.

Article: "Youth Development: Issues, Challenges, and Directions" (Public/Private Ventures)

Fall 2000 article summary. Full report (324 pp) can be ordered or downloaded in PDF format.

Understanding Youth Development: Promoting Positive Pathways of Growth (U.S. Health and Human Services, Family and Youth Services Bureau)

Extensive and detailed Jan. 1997 report, which includes a review of the research literature on adolescent development; a conceptual framework for understanding youth development, exploring the developmental process, developmental pathways, desired adulthood outcomes, and critical ingredients necessary for positive adolescent development, as well as the individual and contextual factors that influence adolescent developmental pathways; brief overview of strategies to help communities support young people transitioning from adolescence to adulthood.

>>....Statistics, Data, & other numbers

Youth Statistics (National Youth Development Information Center)

Includes state profiles, trends, national indicators, profile of American youth, youth risk behaviors, documented need for before- and after-school programs, etc.

>>....Organizations & Agencies

Advocates for Youth (DC)

Attractive layout. Media project and law center. Many resources, covering pregnancy prevention, public affairs, sex ed., the teen scene, HIV, gender bias, child abuse, parent-child communication, more. Kids can fax or talk with live person about issues Monday through Friday, 9-5 Eastern time; calls are not free (phone: 202-347-5700; fax: 202-347-2263).

U.S. Administration for Children and Families (U.S. Government)

Good source for up-to-date news on children & youth issues. Topics include adoption/foster care, after-school resources, runaway and homeless youth, children's stats, government Web pages for kids, youth development, welfare reform data, child care, child abuse/neglect, etc. Many factsheets, on topics of Head Start, child welfare, domestic violence, community services programs, child support, TANF, etc. This agency includes a Children's Bureau, Child Support Enforcement section, Family and Youth Services Bureau, and more.

Mentoring Resources

>>....Think Tanks and Information Clearinghouses

National Mentoring Center (at Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory, Portland OR)

Information on mentoring organizations, research and publications, mentoring guides, work-based mentoring, peer mentoring/tutoring, volunteer recruitment and screening, and on-line funding resources.

National Mentoring Partnership (Alexandria, VA)

Sections on becoming a mentor, finding a mentor, running a mentoring program.

SERVEnet (Youth Service America)

SERVEnet is a program of Youth Service America, a resource center and alliance of 200+ organizations committed to increasing the quantity and quality of opportunities for young Americans to serve locally, nationally, or globally. User can enter their zip code, city, state, skills, interests, and availability and be matched with organizations needing help. Website also provides calendar of events, job openings, service news, recommended books, and best practices. Includes volunteer resources and help for nonprofits.

Tutor/Mentor Connection (Cabrini Connections - Chicago, IL)

Chicago-oriented, but offers other information as well. "The Tutor/Mentor Connection and this web site are aimed at building and sustaining a village of great tutor/mentor programs, making sure there are enough of these programs, that they are where they are most needed, and that they have the resources each needs." The website has information to help build a tutor/mentor program, improve a program, decide whether or not to fund one, or to help volunteers become more effective tutor/mentors; and events to build public awareness and to help activiate volunteers, donors, leaders and business partners to support tutor/mentor programs in the Chicago area. Sample volunteer recruitment letter.

Public/Private Ventures: Mentoring

Several reports on mentoring, including June 1999 "Contemporary Issues in Mentoring" and April 2000 "Mentoring School-Age Children: Relationship Development in Community-Based and School-Based Programs."

>>....Factsheets, Articles, Reports, Resource Lists, Handbooks & Journals

Mentoring Makes A Difference (The Commonwealth Fund)

Lengthy report of findings from 1998 survey of adults mentoring young people. Worth reading -- packed with information and implications.

ARTICLE: "Social Change One on One" (American Prospect)

1996 article by Gary Walker and Marc Freedman, closely examining Big Brothers/Big Sisters and discussing mentoring programs in general. Report says that mentoring is proven to work and lists obstacles to expansion of these programs and how they can be overcome. Also mentions Foster Grandparents program.

Types of Mentoring (Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota)

Explains briefly formal vs. informal, One to One mentoring, Team Mentoring, Group mentoring, Family mentoring, Long-term commitment vs. Short-term commitment, and Community-Based vs. School-Based vs. Faith-Based mentoring.

Elements of Effective Mentoring Practice (Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota)

Detailed nuts and bolts checklist for a responsible and effective mentoring program.

>>....Organizations & Agencies

MAINE Mentoring Resource Center (State of Maine)

General info on mentoring, history of the governor's committee on mentoring youth, how-to guide for developing a mentoring program, statewide resource guide of mentoring programs (the Cumberland County mentoring program list includes 14 mentoring programs), draft of standards for Maine mentoring programs, links.

Online Mentoring (The Virtual Volunteering Project)

Resources to assist in developing a telementoring program, including sections on: Benefits of Online Mentoring; Initial First Steps; Administrative and Management Tasks for an Online Mentoring Program; Am I Ready to Involve Online Mentors?; Site Manager/Teacher Involvement; Suggestions for Screening Online Mentors; Suggested Activities For Online Mentors and Mentees; Selected resources for agencies and for volunteers; Telementoring: A View From the Facilitator's Screen.

Community Mentoring (Portland, MAINE)

295 Forest Ave., Suite 191, Portland, ME 04101
207-879-0996
Mission is to "improve educational success for youth in the care and custody of the Department of Human Services, to increase the number of high school graduates, to promote confidence and competence of youth in transition from foster care to self-sufficient living and to teach life skills." Community Mentoring is a joint project of the Muskie School, Americorps, and the Department of Social Services.

Resources for Youth Health Issues

MENTAL ILLNESS and TRAUMA

Glossary of Symptoms and Mental Illnesses Affecting Teenagers (American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry)

One-page descriptions of such illnesses and issues as Alcohol & Drug Abuse, Anorexia and Bulimia, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Depression, Learning Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Physical Abuse, Suicide, Tourette's Syndrome, more.

 

Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma

This website of this 25-year-old program contains studies on Cambodian, Bosnian and Kosovar refugee populations, as well as resources for treating the mental needs of survivors of mass violence and torture.

National Institute of Mental Health

            Information on research, risk factors and education in child and adolescent mental health.

>>SUICIDE AND SELF-VIOLENCE

If You Are Considering Suicide, Read This

 

National Campaign Against Youth Violence

"Conceived at the White House Summit on Children, Violence, and Responsibility, the National Campaign Against Youth Violence is a coordinated response to the epidemic rates of youth violence in America. The campaign is committed to engaging private citizens, corporations, and foundations in national and local violence prevention efforts." Website has sections on news, prevention basics, successful corporate-community partnerships, youth perspectives on the issues, and ten things everyone can do to prevent youth violence. Also in Spanish. Attractive, simple site.

American Psychological Association's Help Center

          An outline of warning signs and ways to help.

>>SEXUALITY, PREGNANCY, AND SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

A National Strategy to Prevent Teen Pregnancy (U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services)

Lengthy report that will be useful for professionals and mentoring staff. Published 1999. Discusses trends, building partnerships, supporting promising approaches, data and statistics. Emphasis on specific programs that work.

Policy Briefing: Teen Pregnancy Prevention: Welfare Reform's Missing Component (Brookings Institute)

"Welfare reform is being widely heralded as a success. But without attention to teen pregnancy and its corollary, single-parent homes, the reform's victories may be fleeting." Authors believes that while mentoring, sex ed, and after-school programs help, " what is needed is a broader campaign to strengthen social norms against early sex and out-of-wedlock pregnancy." Published Nov. 1998.

Resources for Children and Teens on AIDS/HIV (About.Com)

Briefly annotated links to almost 20 resources on AIDS and HIV for kids and teens.

>>VIOLENCE, CRIME, AND PHYSICAL ABUSE

Youth Violence FACT SHEETS (U.S. Centers for Disease Control)

Sheets on youth violence in schools, in the U.S., myths, causation theories, dating violence. Also FAQ, links to grant programs, intervention projects, resource organizations.

FACT SHEETS on Violence (Center for Study and Prevention of Violence)

Over 20 one-page bulleted fact sheets on various kinds and aspects of violence, including Juvenile Sexual Aggression, Gangs and Youth Violence, Safe School Planning, Preventing Firearm Violence, Social Contexts and Adolescent Violence, Youth Violence: A Public Health Concern, Urban After-School Programs, Youth Handgun Violence, Violence Against Women, more.

Principles Of Youth Violence (National Campaign Against Youth Violence)

FACT SHEET: Facts About Youth Violence (National Campaign Against Youth Violence)

10 facts that "offer a current snapshot of the extent of violence by and against youth in the United States," with citations; date of research varys from from 1990 to 1999.

REPORT: STAR - Southside Teens About Respect

Report on a community-based teen dating violence prevention program for 7th-8th graders in Chicago, funded by the Centers for Disease Control. Includes peer leadership and activism as components of the program. The "more info" section describes the program in detail. Preliminary results available.

ARTICLE: "Some Adolescent Violence is Predictable (The Child Advocate: Reuters Health story)

Short, May 16, 2000 article summarising findings about some predictors of youth violence. Basic finding: " Adolescents who are exposed to violence, abuse alcohol or drugs and have only one parent are at increased risk of killing someone."

>>DRUG, ALCOHOL, and TOBACCO USE

No To Tobacco (Foundation for a Smoke-Free America)

The Foundation for a Smoke-Free America's teen web site, with resources for researching questions about tobacco, tips for quitting, photos and a video, a message for youth, plans for creating a community tobacco-free event.

 

Research, Data and Reports on Tobacco (U.S. Government - Centers for Disease Control)

Great source for research on tobacco use. Organized by these topics: Addiction/Nicotine Dependence; Adult Prevalence; Advertising & Counteradvertising; Behavior, Knowledge, & Attitudes; Cessation; Economics; Environmental; Health Consequences; International Issues; Interventions; Legal and Policy Issues; Secondhand Smoke; Smokeless (Spit) Tobacco; Specific Populations; National, State, & Local Tobacco Control Data; Survey & Poll Data; Tobacco Production; Tobacco Products; and Youth.

Tip Sheets: What You Should Know About Tobacco (U.S. Government - Centers for Disease Control)

This tip sheet provides teen opinions on smoking and info on second-hand smoke; another tobacco tip sheet (pretty cool) has info on tobacco and athletic performance and personal appearance.

ARTICLE: "Kids Struggle to Break Alcohol's Grip" (Portland Press Herald's "The Deadliest Drug" series)

From Oct. 1997, article about Maine kids/teens and substance abuse. Links to other resources.

>>....Statistics, Data, & other numbers

Health Risk Behaviors Among MAINE Youth (Maine State Dept. of Education)

Results of 1997 Youth Risk Behavior Survey of Maine Youth Grades 7-12. Report includes methodology, demographics, and specifics on: safety, violence, and suicide; sexual behaviors; health care, physical activity, and nutrition; and alcohol, tobacco, and drug use. 1999 health risk data for Maine high school students and middle school students is also available but the data are not weighted.

Resources for Parents and Youth Workers

>>....Think Tanks and Information Clearinghouses

National Youth Network

A resource for parents of troubled or at-risk teens offering guidance on treatment options, youth programs and crisis assistance.

 

Talking with Kids About Tough Issues (Children Now/Kaiser Family Foundation)

Tips, resources for talking with kids about sex, drugs and alcohol, AIDS, violence. Free bi-monthly tip sheet. National teen survey results. Discussion forum.

 

Arts Programs for At-Risk Youth (Americans for the Arts)

Subtitled: How U.S. Communities are Using the Arts to Rescue Their Youth and Deter Crime. Short essays, success stories, stats, resource lists. Some topics: Real Answers to Tough Problems; Why The Arts?; Can the Arts Really Deter Our Youth From Gangs, Drugs, and Violence?; Bridging the Gap: Why NonSchool-Based Programs Boost Education; Funding; How To Establish a Program.

Places for Struggling Teens (Woodbury Reports)

Newsletter-format site that offers resources, ideas, news, discussion forum, archives, bookstore. "An information source for parents and professionals working with at-risk teens. The focus is on residential Emotional Growth (Character) schools and programs that work," including wilderness and outdoor programs, home-style programs, structured boarding schools, therapy boarding schools, and psychiatric hospitals. "News" section had articles on bullying, student violence, drug use, etc.

>>....Factsheets, Articles, Reports, Resource Lists, Handbooks & Journals

At-Risk Children and Youth (North Central Regional Educational Laboratory)

Articles and Web sites relevant to teaching at-risk students.

Helping At-Risk Youth: Lessons from Community-Based Initiatives (Elaine Morley/Shelli B. Rossman - The Urban Institute)

Lengthy December 1997 report. Sections: Introduction; Services Integration and Case Management; Parental Involvement; Volunteers for Tutoring and Mentoring; Fund-raising and Marketing; Monitoring Program Outcomes to Improve Accountability; Resources; Checklist of suggested practices.

ARTICLE: "At-Risk Teens Build Self-Esteem At Sea" (Maine Medical Center, Portland)

July 2000 article on Maine Med's Building Opportunities through Adventure Therapy (BOAT), which teaches 12-16-year-olds how to sail and helps them face their fears, deal with change, develop positive relationships with peers, assume leadership roles, respond to dangerous situations, learn how to work as a team, and become experienced sailors. Program operates through the Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and Community Counseling Center.

>>....Statistics, Data, & other numbers

Youth Risk Behaviors (U.S. Centers for Disease Control)

Stats and data (from 1999) on risky behaviors engaged in by youth.

Maine-Specific Resources for Youth Issues

>>....Think Tanks and Information Clearinghouses

Teen GO: Help (Portland Newspapers)

Lotsa links to teen resources in southern Maine. Sections include: Ask the Expert; Abuse and Neglect; Alcohol, Tobacco, Other drugs; Eating Disorders; Running Away (food, shelter); Sexual Awareness; Sexual Violence and Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Suicide and depression; Teen Dating Violence; Creative Expression; Employment; The Law; Transportation; Volunteering; Applying for college; Education; Homework help; and Maine High Schools Online.

>>....Factsheets, Articles, Reports, Resource Lists, Handbooks & Journals

Health Risk Behaviors Among Maine Youth (Maine State Dept. of Education)

Results of 1997 Youth Risk Behavior Survey of Maine Youth Grades 7-12. Report includes methodology, demographics, and specifics on: safety, violence, and suicide; sexual behaviors; health care, physical activity, and nutrition; and alcohol, tobacco, and drug use. 1999 health risk data for Maine high school students and middle school students is also available but the data are not weighted.

Scarborough High School Resource List

Local resources lists for problems related to abuse/rape, substance abuse, suicide, eating disorders, family issues, running away, and AIDS.

>>....Statistics, Data, & other numbers

The Good Stories About Maine Schools and Youth (State of Maine Dept. of Education)

Bulleted items describing Maine's successes with education and kids, as well as the continuing challenges. Dated Aug. 1999.

Kids Struggle to Break Alcohol's Grip: Portland Press Herald's "The Deadliest Drug" series

From Oct. 1997, article about Maine kids/teens and substance abuse. Links to other resources.

>>....Organizations & Agencies

Maine Mentoring Resource Center (State of Maine)

General info on mentoring, history of the governor's committee on mentoring youth, how-to guide for developing a mentoring program, statewide resource guide of mentoring programs (the Cumberland County mentoring program list includes 14 mentoring programs), draft of standards for Maine mentoring programs, links.

Maine Youthwork Resources

With sections on Residential Youth Programs, Research & Statistics, Program Support, Community Services For All Ages, Training Resources, Education, Funding Sources, Community Youth Programs, Prevention Programs, and Mental Health/Substance Abuse.

Youth Alternatives (Portland)

400 Congress Street, P.O. Box 596, Portland, ME 04112 / 207-874-1175
Organization provides emergency shelter, group homes, short- and long-term therapeutic foster care, professional foster care, case management, family outreach services, child/family mediation services and community-based intensive supervision for adjudicated youth. Web site has info about YA, residential and community services, advocacy and prevention services, events jobs, publications. Site is still being developed (2/00).

Preble Street Teen Center

17 Chestnut St., Portland, 207-874-1197
Drop-in teen center offering lunch and dinner M-F.

Mission Possible Teen Drop-In Center (Westbrook)

P. O. Box 876, 90 Bridge Street, Westbrook, 207-854-2800
For teens in 6th-12th grades in Westbrook (free) and neighboring communities ($2). Open Tues-Sat, various hours. The center exists to provide a safe multi-purpose teen center with access to meaningful activities, mentoring relationships and support systems that foster positive development and healthy decisions.

Community Mentoring

295 Forest Ave., Suite 191, Portland, ME 04101 / 207-879-0996
Mission is to "improve educational success for youth in the care and custody of the Department of Human Services, to increase the number of high school graduates, to promote confidence and competence of youth in transition from foster care to self-sufficient living and to teach life skills." Community Mentoring is a joint project of the Muskie School, Americorps, and the Department of Social Services.

Portland West Neighborhood Planning Council

181 Brackett Street, Portland, ME 04102 / 207-775-0105 / E-mail: e-mail: pwnpc@aol.com
Works to eliminate the conditions of poverty and strengthen the bonds of community in Portland's West End neighborhoods. Programs for youth include preparing them for the G.E.D., vocational assistance, drop-in center for teens, after-school story camp, summer camp program.

Day One for Youth & Families

1000 Shore Road, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107 / 207-767-0991
Mission is to "dramatically reduce substance abuse among Maine youth."

My Choice

306 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101 / 207-772-7555
Assists pregnant young women and teens in crisis who have decided to continue their pregnancy. Offers housing, food, medical care, counseling and parent education.

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Contact us
©PROP (2001) / 510 Cumberland Avenue / Portland, Maine 04101 /
Last Updated: 20/Nov/2001/

PROP is committed to assuring non-discrimination in all aspects of program participation. No one will be denied access to any aspect of participation because of age, sex, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, handicap, veteran status, or political affiliation or belief.

photograph courtesy Philip Greenspun

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