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It seems that everyone is talking about health care reform and the rising cost of the patchwork of health care systems in the USA. Recently, first lady Michelle Obama stressed the importance of prevention in curbing the ever increasing sticker price of health care for families, individuals, employers and governments at all levels. Studies have shown that the best approach to improving the health of the nation is to start with our youth. The Teen Life Club, better known as TLC, targets youth between the ages of 11 and 14. In this month’s column, I discuss TLC and mention other health-related programs for older teens. These programs, although managed by the Children’s National Medical Center (CNMC), are open to all teens in Washington, DC.
The History behind TLC
TLC is an after-school program that runs from October through May or June each year. The name “Teen Life Club” was the brainchild of one of the teens who participated in TLC five years ago. Irene Addlestone established the original clubs in 1987 at the CNMC. The internal name of the program was “The Boys and Girls Club,” but this caused confusion with the national organization of Boys and Girls Clubs. Also, the teens wanted a name that sounded as cool as they are.
With the support of the Junior League of Washington, TLC grew to serve teens beyond the walls of the CNMC. This expansion established clubs at various community health centers and other community organizations to serve more teens. Community organizations that have served as partner agencies include a middle school, Covenant House and satellite health care sites of CNMC. Each TLC club is either all young women or all young men. It has been shown that single-sex clubs, like single-sex schools, are better than mixed-sex clubs to foster learning and leadership development among young people. For some activities, all the TLC clubs connect so that teens across the city can meet and share their experiences.
Getting the Word Out
Maranda Ward, program manager for all the CNMC Adolescent Prevention Education Programs (APEP), provided me with the following announcement. Note the raving review from Christia Moore, a young person who participated in TLC last year.
“In a city where 58 percent of teens have had sex before the age of 15, and the HIV rates are higher than the high school graduation rates, there is a dire need for programs that promote healthy living and comprehensive sex education. The Adolescent Prevention Education Programs at the Children's National Medical Center are dedicated to filling this void. With three health education programs and three health education services, they continue to make an impact in the lives of teens within the DC metro area.
“During the 2008-2009 school year, the Teen Life Clubs (TLC) had 132 participants who shared a desire to increase knowledge of their bodies. Christia Moore, a 12-year-old participant in TLC, enjoyed the program because she made new friends and had an after-school activity that was both informative and interesting. ‘What I will miss most about TLC was having something to do on Wednesday afternoons, meeting new people, and working with the Children's Hospital staff’ [said Moore]. In a time where youth are unaware of how their bodies work and are faced with many pressures to have sex, TLC aims to educate and empower youth to make healthy decisions about if they are ready for relationships and sex.
“There are other great benefits to the 26 week-long program, including leadership development, HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, community service opportunities, monthly enrichment activities, weekly tutoring, group mentoring, family activities and a stipend which contributes to the success of the program.”
Worth the Time?
Parents and teens may wonder, “What’s in it for me?” Well, besides the educational activities, there are lots of fun activities. There are field trips, including Inner Quest, a team-building activity with obstacle courses and physical and mental challenges. (Think TV reality series). Ward noted that Inner Quest brings the boys and girls clubs together. “There are outdoor activities where teens face challenges and face their fears – building confidence in themselves. There are problem-solving activities that build leadership. The teens work together through a support system,” said Ward.
Participation in TLC is free. In fact, teens are paid to learn! According to Sheena Ware, a CNMC community health coordinator and coordinator of TLC, club members earn a stipend for each session they attend. “There are fun giveaways and fun activities,” said Ware. Also, a free snack is provided during each session.
Ward noted that through TLC, teens meet new people. There are White House tours, and workshops that include basic self-defense, exercises such as hip-hop and boxing, finances, healthy decision-making, communication skills and career choices (applications for work, college and trade and vocational training). The violence prevention workshops end with the Clothesline Project where anti-violence t-shirts created by the teens are put on display.
First Come, First Serve
I asked Ward for details on joining TLC. She stated that space is limited with a maximum of 15 youths per club. Six TLC clubs are scheduled to begin October 2009, with a total of 45 girls and 45 boys citywide. Parents are required to attend an orientation session in September. Details about orientation will be provided once parents contact TLC. Parents will then complete a consent form and a media release form. Optional is a teen pre-test/post-test that TLC uses to measure the success of the program. (A report on the impact of TLC is scheduled for release after July 15.) For more information about TLC, call Ware at 202-476-6018 or visit online at www.ChildrensNational.org/apep. Apply now.
Other APEP Programs
Christine Gordon coordinates APEP programs for older teens. These programs include Teen Talk, Today’s New Teens (TNT), and Teens Against the Spread of AIDS (TASA). For more information on these programs, visit the APEP website or call Gordon directly at 202-476-6010.
Making a Difference
We can all join in the effort to promote healthy and inspired living among our youth. Contact Maranda Ward at 202-476-5449 to volunteer as a program mentor, tutor or intern. You will need to submit a resume and undergo the hospital medical and background clearance process. In addition, if you are interested in having a teen prevention workshop presented at your school, youth group or church, contact Sheena Ware at 202-476-6018. Help to stem the rising cost of health care through prevention.
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