Saving Teens In Crisis Collaborative

Many parents and family members of a struggling teen know the pain and sheer panic of realizing that their children are in crisis and require interventions and support best administered in a residential program. When my own two sons were in crisis, I searched for help everywhere, navigating a labyrinth of school counselors, medical professionals and educational consultants. I was fortunate enough to be able to afford the evaluations, the expert advice, and the tuition for the programs and schools that could address my sons’ substance abuse, dysfunctional behavior, and the underlying emotional issues. And I was able to witness the transformation of my younger son from a troubled teen into a loving, responsible, confident young adult.

But the pleasure I take in my son’s recovery is also tempered by the knowledge that the programs that helped him are out of reach to most families. Too many parents cannot even afford to speak with an educational consultant. And those who can find the money for the professional advice and comprehensive evaluations are often heartbroken when they cannot come up with the thousands of dollars per month required for the recommended intervention and education programs. I wanted to help those parents, and so I founded Saving Teens In Crisis Collaborative (STICC).

Saving Teens was incorporated in 2004, and attained 501(c)(3) status in 2005. Our mission is to provide a long-term solution to troubled teens and their families, by guiding and funding them through a comprehensive, multi-phase 18-24 month recovery process which includes evaluation, intervention and education. While other organizations address perhaps one stage of recovery, such as short-term intervention, STICC is unique in that it strives to provide a complete and holistic solution, to take a teen from crisis to recovery. Our board includes respected educational consultants, educators and parents. We are a diverse group, but all share a deep commitment to children and their families.

Though STICC is a new charity, we have already accomplished a great deal, and are now in the process of funding and supporting our first two troubled teens. We have been awarded a federal grant of $100,000 from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, we have secured tens of thousands of dollars in pro bono services and scholarships, and we have further established our infrastructure to ensure that almost every penny donated to Saving Teens goes directly to helping troubled teenagers.

Despite our progress, Saving Teens can only afford to fund one or two children at a time. It costs $150,000 on average to bring a teen through a long-term recovery and education plan. Please, join us in saving teens and their families. Today, we are able to help two children, but with your support, we could help many more. Gifts of any size will make a difference. Donations can be made directly on our website: www.savingteens.org, or through the mail to Saving Teens In Crisis Collaborative, PO Box 441363, West Somerville, MA 02144. Please also feel free to contact me, or our Executive Director, Patricia Abreu, if you need more information, if you would like to volunteer, or if you would just like to say hello. Together we will change the lives of many families.