October Blog: Teen Spotlight

October Blog: Teen Spotlight

Oct 24, 2024

FamilyMeans has been providing youth services in Cimarron and Landfall for 15 years and 31 years respectively.  Our KidSpace and Investigation Station serve children in kindergarten through 5th grade, while our Teen Centers serves those 5th grade through 12th. At all of our locations, youth participate in activities that include cooking, gardening, arts, games, science, reading, homework help, and volunteering.

Central to our teen work is preparing teens for post-secondary life. Teens learn of personal strengths and how those can lead into career choices. College visits and career panels help them envision personal pathways. Activities that teach employment skills and financial literacy strengthen their ability to live independently. As teens near high school graduation, staff can lead them and their parents through the challenging process of college choice, enrollment, and financial aid.

Over the years, we have had many successful teen participants go on to higher education and live out their dreams that they planned our while attending our programming. Learn more about two of our current Landfall Youth Development participants, July and Sage, who are participating in our programming below!

July has been coming to our Teen Center in Landfall for 3 years. She was featured in our 2023 Better is Possible video where she shared that she wants to attend college for Public Speaking and to change people’s lives. When asked what she wishes everyone knew about FamilyMeans and the Youth Development Program, July said, “That it gives you so much opportunities to find your interests and discover your passion”.  July has enjoyed trips to the museums and tours of local colleges and universities over the past year.

Sage recently started coming to the Landfall Teen Center for tutoring help. Sage has big plans after high school, which are to go to college and then continue her education in Law School. She said she always has known she wanted to be a lawyer, but FamilyMeans helped her create a solid plan to reach her goals. Sage mentioned “If I didn't have the teen center no one would be able to help with homework because of the language barrier".

We are fortunate to be able to provide free afterschool and summer care to youth in both Cimarron and Landfall to help support their higher education dreams!