Beyond the Surface, The Real Life Stories of The Youth Project

October 2013

Beyond The Surface.

The Real Life Stories of the Youth Project

The Youth Project is honored to work with so many brave teenagers, willing to share their lives with us. Each month, we'll bring you firsthand accounts of pain, trauma and hope -- from the teens themselves. Here are a few of their stories.

15 y/o male - student has been working with the Youth Project for the past year on coming out and the struggles that go along with being transgender. Last week he finally gained the courage to open up to one of his teachers and the whole class. He was happy to share with his Youth Project mentor that the class was supportive and he feels hopeful that this will be a great year.

12 y/o male - student is struggling as he watches his father go through dialysis. He is having a hard time watching his father who is not taking care of himself and the boy feels helpless. He was told by his father that when he passes he needs to be the man of the house and take care of his mother and younger sister; a huge responsibility for a 12 year old.

15 y/o female - student is working with her Youth Project counselor on coping with anger and the aftereffects of abuse she experienced as a child. She was sexually abused by a family member as a child and physically abused by a step-father. She is grateful to now be living in a place where she feels safe but is struggling to move past the abuse.

16 y/o female - student is coping with the loss of a peer. She shared with her mentor that her final interaction with her classmate involved a verbal altercation and she feels guilty that this will be the final memory she has of him. She feels disappointed and upset with herself and is working with her Youth Project mentor to overcome her guilt.

In a high school boy's issues group, a young man disclosed that he feels lonely and isolated on the campus. Upon hearing this, another young man offered support and invited his peer to hang out with him and his friends during breaks. The Youth Project counselor is happy to be a part of these relationships being formed as extensions of support beyond group.

17 y/o female - student struggles with the inconsistency of her relationship with an absent father. She desperately wants to repair their relationship, but father is dealing with drug addiction, the birth of a child with a different spouse and financial troubles. She is working on establishing healthy boundaries, while trying to be more compassionate and patient.

The Youth Project is celebrating 13 years of successfully providing free services to teens in the Santa Clarita Valley. Since their doors opened in 2000, the Youth Project has assisted more than 33,000 local families, including 28,000 youth and 6,000 adults.

To learn more about us and how you can help visit www.HelpNotHassle.org

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