YFS will be assisting in the development of an international counseling program specifically for teens. The program is called Teen Journey of Hope, a psychosocial support program of Save the Children, and focuses on youth grades 9-12 with an emphasis on helping understand and cope with emotions caused by traumatic situations.

Save the Children invests in childhood – every day, in times of crisis and for the future. In the United States and around the world, they give children a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. Last year, Save the Children worked in more than 120 countries and helped more than 166 million children. Their psychosocial support programs are designed to help children to cope, build on their natural resiliency and strengthen their network of social support with friends and caring others.

YFS was selected to assist in the development of the program because of the vast diversity of youth served within Blaine, Canadian, and Kingfisher Counties.

To begin the development process, YFS will be hosting focus groups to gather information from local teens about their needs. This is an important step in the development process because the program is youth empowered, meaning that counseling themes will be determined based on what youth have identified as counseling needs. Focus groups will be facilitated at Yukon Alternative Learning Education with the help of Principal, Jody Pendleton.

“This is an opportunity to affect the lives of children in both our own communities and worldwide”, says Dee Blose, YFS Executive Director.

“Today, there are so many new issues that teens are dealing with that we need to understand. This is important because we’re giving teens a chance to tell us what they need to become more successful!” says Wynell Lloyd, YFS Clinical Coordinator.

If you would like more information about Save the Children and how they are impacting the lives of children internationally, please visit savethechildren.org.