Montana Teens In Crisis Helps Families

Operating under 501c3 with United Way as Fiscal Responsible Agent

Teens in Crisis was founded in April of 2001 through efforts of Ron & Karyl Clem and Gerri Gardner. Gerri had recently lost her Meth addicted daughter, Angie, to suicide and Ron & Karyl had just transported their Meth addicted daughter Carren to a therapeutic boarding school in Jamaica. Carren had just completed a 30 day wilderness treatment program in Idaho de-toxing off Meth. Both Carren and Angie had resorted to Meth use after being raped by drug dealers in Whitefish.

The Clem's initially attempted to secure help from local agencies (police, juvenile probation, family services, etc…) all to no avail. They eventually hired a private educational consultant and other mental health specialists to gain control of their daughter who had resorted to living on the streets in the Flathead Valley. It became apparent there was no assistance for families with children in crisis unless their children were arrested and placed into the criminal justice system. Due to the growing, widespread Meth use by teens and young adults, it became obvious the justice and social systems were not in the position to provide the care and immediate intervention needed to save children's lives. With that realization Teens in Crisis committed their efforts and resources to assist families experiencing emotional and financial crisis.

In May 2001 Teens in Crisis started support meetings for parents on a weekly basis at Trinity Lutheran Church, Kalispell. Within the first few months of meetings, two families attending the support group lost their children due to their inability to pay for care or treatment. Essentially, society was telling these parents: If you don't have the money to pay for treatment, your children aren't worth saving". Teens in Crisis made the decision to raise funds to assist families incapable of generating the typical $3000.00 dollars per month for treatment. Since that time Teens in Crisis has assisted numerous families with tuition assistance, intervention, drug evaluation, counseling and parent training. During fiscal year 2005, Teens in Crisis provided over $130,000.00 to families with children in life threatening crisis behaviors. The Teens in Crisis support group currently has on average 30 parents a week attending meetings with volunteer members receiving hundreds of calls per month from families with children, of all ages, in crisis behaviors.

Teens in Crisis also started the "Kids Talking to Kids" program in 2002 with the assistance of Senator Max Baucus. Senator Baucus surveyed Flathead Valley Junior High and High School students and ascertained that students wanted to hear from their peers concerning the impact of drug and alcohol abuse. Teens in Crisis contacted several treatment, residential, and behavioral modification programs in the area and received permission to have pending graduates accompany Teens in Crisis to schools and communities throughout the State of Montana to conduct anti-drug talks and conferences. Over the past 4 years Teens in Crisis "Kids Talking to Kids" program has presented their program to over 30,000 students and parents across the state.

Monies received by Teens in Crisis is generated by fundraising activity or private donations. Teens in Crisis does not receive any money from public agencies or through government grants.

Teens in Crisis purpose statement is "Making a Difference One Life at a Time". We are committed to this effort and continue to assist families, communities, and agencies with volunteer and financial assistance.