Teen Life Programs sponsored by Children’s National Hospital

The Teen Life Clubs is Childrens National’s year-long health education, empowerment youth development program for 11-14 year old adolescents, who live in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. The program strives to develop adolescents™ individual strengths and help them build life skills by using our copyrighted Steps to S.T.A.R.dom© curriculum. The clubs also provide monthly enrichment opportunities, mentors, and academic support. Families are involved through weekly correspondence and parent workshops.

The comprehensive TLC youth development program includes:

Weekly health education sessions which address four units of adolescent health: personal identity, healthy bodies, violence prevention, world of work/ financial literacy. These sessions include clubs for male adolescents and clubs for female adolescents that are held Monday Thursday, 4 pm -6 pm.

• Weekly homework assistance is offered to all TLC members every Thursday, 6 pm -8 pm at the main hospital. Dinner is included.
• Gender-specific, monthly enrichment activities held on one Saturday per month. These include events like open sessions, ropes course, CPR training, self-defense training, family dinners, holiday parties, basketball tournaments, community service learning, and graduation.
• Ongoing group mentoring relationships with trusted, trained adults who serve as positive role models.
• Program referrals to other after-school programs for adolescents who graduate from Teen Life Clubs. The program also refers adolescents to other needed hospital services and resources.
• Exciting leadership opportunities such as the youth advisory council and summer internship.
• Program incentives such as a weekly stipend, free snacks, prizes, and gift cards.

Membership All pre-teens, ages 11-14, who are interested can complete a membership form and fax a completed copy to 202-476-3711. We also accept pre-teens who are not Children’s patients and/or do not reside in Washington, DC. Please note: each Teen Life Club is limited to the first 15 teens who sign up. TLC Registration Process

• Sign up today
• Parent Consent Form

Contact Sheena Ware directly at 202-476-6018 with any questions. Community Partnerships Children’s has an extensive list of community partners who collaborate with Teen Life Clubs including George Washington and Georgetown Universities, University of Maryland, Howard University, Junior League of Washington, Defend Yourself, Innerquest Ropes Course, Advocates for Youth, We Can!, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, DC Central Kitchen a Healthy Returns Program, Women Empowered Against Violence Everywhere (WEAVE), Peace-a-holics, and Washington DC public, public charter, and private schools.

2008-2009 List of TLC Sites: BOYS CLUBS – Comp Clinic; Boys & Girls Clubhouse #11; Covenant House; Ron Brown Middle School GIRLS CLUBS – Children’s Hospital; Boys & Girls Clubhouse #11; Covenant House; Roots Public Charter School

Research The Teen Life Clubs have been awarded an evaluation grant by the Joe Higdon and Ellen Sudow Fund of the Community Foundation of the National Capital Region to work with consultants from the George Washington University School of Public Health. The evaluation will measure how effectively the program curriculum and activities are in reducing risks related to STs, HIV and unplanned pregnancy. We ask parents to sign a consent form for their teens to participate in the pre- and post- tests that are given to them at the beginning and end of the program. The consent form is optional and refusal will not affect your teens chances of participating in the program. Learn more about our other programs:

• Teens Against the Spread of AIDS (TASA)
• Today’s New Teens (TNT)
• Teen Talk

For More Information CLICK on the link below:
Departments & Programs – Children’s National Medical Center
Shared via AddThis

I actually was able to interview some youth that were involved in this program and they really enjoyed it! If you have any questions please e-mail me!

I ♥ DC