July 2010 header

July 7, 2010
This Month at Excelsior
Paws 4 Trustvolunteers

Paws 4 Trust's mission is to help youth experience the power of compassion, unconditional love, and respect through the relationship of a human-animal bond.  Through the experience of socializing and interacting with companion therapy dogs and handlers, our goal is to promote responsible caretaking of all animals and encourage healthy, positive human-canine interactions.

Now at the end of an eight-week Paws 4 Trust session, Excelsior volunteers and staff are touched to see that the girls have improved motivation, are sitting a little taller, and speak more readily thanks to the progress they've made with their canine companions.

Funding for this program came from generous community support from donors to the 2008 annual Board challenge.

Read more about Excelsior's Paws 4 Trust program.
In This Issue
Paws 4 Trust
The Exceptionally Defiant Teenager
Tony Grampsas Funds Three Year Bully Prevention Programming
Concert for Kids Day 2010
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Advice from Excelsior Staff
teensThe Exceptionally Defiant Teenager

Most teens have periods of defiance, resistance, arguing and refusing to accept responsibility for their actions.  In severe cases, a teen may be diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD).  The key to treating these adolescents is to try to create an environment with the fewest number of power struggles possible.

Click here to read more about treating teens with ODD.
Programs at Excelsior
EXC bwTony Grampsas Grant Funds Three Year Bully Prevention Programming
 
For three years, Excelsior has been awarded a  grant to provide our girls with the critical skills necessary to reduce their involvement in crime, as well as victimization by others. Girls participate in a myriad of services designed to diminish the tragic affects of their history of violence, abuse and deprivation.


Click here to read more about Bully Prevention at Excelsior.
Events at Excelsior
volunteersConcerts For Kids Day 2010

On Saturday, May 22 Excelsior Youth Center was a proud recipient and one of dozens of host sites that participated in the 5th Annual Concerts For Kids Community Day.  With the help and hard work of 10 wonderful community volunteers Excelsior's community vegetable garden underwent a major overhaul.

Click here to read more about Concerts For Kids Day and Excelsior's community garden.