SAFE TALK FOR TEENS

SAFE TALK FOR TEENS IS A 501(C)(3) EARLY INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION NONPROFIT PROGRAM IN WASHOE COUNTY. WE OPENED IN APRIL OF 2013. WE ARE FUNDED BY GRANTS RECEIVED FROM FOUNDATIONS AND DONATIONS FROM BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS.WE PROVIDE A FREE, SAFE, AND CONFIDENTIAL PLACE FOR YOUTH 8-19 YEARS OF AGE TO SPEAK WITH ONE OF OUR YOUTH ADVISORS EITHER ALONE OR WITH THEIR PARENTS. EACH KID MAKES THAT CHOICE FOR THEMSELVES. AS YOUTH ADVISORS WE TEACH & MOTIVATE OUR KIDS TO ACHIEVE OUR TWO PROGRAM GOALS - WHICH ARE HAPPINESS AND SUCCESS.OUR YOUTH ADVISORS HELP KIDS IDENTIFY POSITIVE AND HEALTHY COPING SKILLS TO HELP THEM COPE WITH THE NEGATIVE BUT NORMAL EMOTIONS OF ANGER, SADNESS, DEPRESSION, STRESS, AND ANXIETY. WE STRIVE TO HELP THEM AVOID TURNING TO DRUGS, ALCOHOL, VIOLENCE, SELF-HARM, OR SUICIDE AS COPING MECHANISMS. WE HELP KIDS IMPROVE THEIR DECISION MAKING AND GOAL SETTING THROUGH OUR VALUES CLARIFICATION AND GOAL SETTING EXERCISES. WE ASSIST KIDS AND PARENTS TO IMPROVE THEIR RELATIONSHIPS AT HOME. WHEN NECESSARY WE ACT AS A PORTAL TO REFER THEM TO COUNSELING SERVICES AND PROGRAMMING IN THE COMMUNITY.SAFE TALK FOR TEEN'S FOUR KEY OBJECTIVES: 1. HELP KIDS IDENTIFY POSITIVE AND HEALTHY COPING SKILLS 2. IMPROVE DECISION MAKING, MOTIVATION, AND DIRECTION THROUGH VALUES CLARIFICATION AND GOAL SETTING 3. PROVIDE A SAFE AND CONFIDENTIAL PLACE FOR KIDS TO SPEAK WITH AN EXPERIENCED YOUTH ADVISOR ONE ON ONE 4. SERVE AS A PORTAL TO REFER TO COUNSELING AND PROGRAMMING SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY IF NECESSARY.WE RECEIVED 148 REFERRALS IN 2025 BRINGING OUR TOTAL REFERRALS SINCE INCEPTION IN APRIL OF 2013 TO 2,744. FOR OUR CLIENT SATISFACTION SURVEYS ON A SCALE OF 1-5 WITH 5 THE BEST SCORE POSSIBLE, KIDS RATED US 4.67 AND PARENTS 4.81.