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Teens trek in Tennessee for learning, service and adventure

This summer, rising sophomores in their third year of the Teen Leadership Program (TLP) went on a nine-day trek to Tennessee. ‘Trek’ is a landmark opportunity in the five-year program that combines leadership and community service with outdoor adventure and college experiences. Many alumni revere it as the most emotionally and physically difficult portion of the program, but also the most rewarding.

This summer, trek began in Nashville, where teens spent their first day volunteering with the Harpeth River Watershed Association. As a result of the severe flooding last year, the remains of a two-story house had washed downstream and were left on a bluff above a Harpeth River tributary. The TLP teens helped the association to transport materials over the bluff to a safe location. Association Director, Michael Cain, was very impressed by the hard work and positive attitude of the teens, who instead of complaining spent the day singing and laughing.

The teens then visited Vanderbilt University where they walked through the campus and learned more about life at college. The afternoon focused on learning

about the civil rights movement. The teens had the opportunity to talk to Dr. Cason and Dr. Patton, two of the original freedom riders who were also involved in many of the Nashville sit-ins, sleep-ins, and other demonstrations. Dr. Cason and Dr. Patton discussed the motivations behind their actions, their continued involvement and the advantages and effectiveness of using a non-violent approach to achieve change. TLP teen Dominic said he “learned that any person is able to help change the country and the world.”

The rest of the trip was filled with different challenges and adventures. The group traveled to the Cherokee National Forest and camped in the Chillhowee Mountain campground. TLP had access to a mountain lake swimming area, multiple trails and a beautiful waterfall that the teens enjoyed.

Throughout the next couple days the teens went on an overnight backpacking experience. Despite some rain toward the end, everyone remained in good humor and finished the trip with a challenging white water rafting experience. TLP teen Maurice said he would like to go back again because “it was a fun trip and overcoming all of the challenges of the trek made [him] feel very accomplished.”

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MATTERS1 ■ TLP Trek Reinforces

Leadership and Service

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2 ■ President’s

Column ■ Wyman and

Scholarship Foundation Start College Persistence Program

■ Thank You!

■ Teen Profile ■ Evidence of

Excellence

■ News, Events & Opportunities

FALL 2011

Stay up-to-date on news and events at:

www.wymancenter.org.

TLP Trek Reinforces Leadership and Service

Above: TLP teens celebrate after a long day of hard work cleaning up the debris along the riverbank. Right: Teens formed a transport line up the bluff and handed down materials for almost three hours!

Concerning our nation’s young people, Forum for Youth Investment’s Karen Pittman has said that “problem free is not fully prepared and fully prepared does not mean fully engaged.” This statement succinctly captures

the need for effective, proven programs that engage youth, while building their skills to successfully navigate risk and opportunity.

Here at Wyman, we recognize the importance of evidence-based practice and the promotion of “social emotional” skills like resilience, perseverance, interpersonal relations, communication, critical thinking, problem solving and connectedness with community. Promotion of these skills are key to enabling students to manage emotions that interfere with learning and concentration, to persevere in the face of academic setbacks and challenges, and to persist to high school and college graduation – all are hallmarks of Wyman programs.

Wyman’s approach also fits neatly within a new ‘public health’ template proposed by Georgetown University to meet the mental health needs of children and youth. It places evidence-based practices that promote healthy development in youth squarely at the forefront of a continuum of services a community should establish to ensure good outcomes for all young people. In fact, Wyman’s Teen Outreach Program (TOP) was recently named an evidence-based Mental Health Promotion program by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) - a great honor for Wyman’s TOP and a testament to the program’s quality.

Besides delivering evidence-based practices to youth in the region and licensing others to do the same nationally, Wyman is at many tables working and advocating for a comprehensive and aligned approach to adolescent development. Whether working with a local middle school to embed TOP in the Communication Arts curriculum for 7th grade students, at the table of political and practice leaders conceiving a regional approach to meeting the needs of our teens, or in coalitions of policy and practice leaders addressing college access and persistence, Wyman commits its expertise, insights and effort for the teens.

Wyman and Scholarship Foundation Start College Persistence Program

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President’s ColumnDave Hilliard $204K Grant Enables 300 Teens Access to College Persistence Work

Wyman in collaboration with The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis is beginning a new program, Persistence Power, to complement Wyman’s Teen Leadership Program (TLP). Through a $204,000 grant from TG Public Benefit Program, over 300 students from Wyman’s TLP and The Scholarship Foundation’s Interest-Free Loan and Bravo Grant Programs will be given opportunities from their senior year of high school through the end of their sophomore year in college, including summer orientation sessions and preparation for psychological and financial transitions related to college.

These program services are designed to improve the chances that college-bound high school students will graduate college. Professional staff work with the students integrating financial, psychological, and institutional supports, which are the key areas which account for up to 75% of a student’s decision to leave college. In associated with The St. Louis College Access Pipeline (CAP) Project, the overall regional goal is to increase the proportion of students in the St. Louis region who earn a higher education degree to 50% by 2020.

Persistence Power will expand upon the skills, independence, and leadership that teens gain in Wyman’s TLP. During their senior year in high school, teens will receive financial aid education, including review of financial aid applications and letters, coaching regarding financial aid packages and information regarding how to handle debts and loans. Additionally, this support is supplemented for some teens with Bravo Grants and the Scholarship Foundation’s Interest-Free Loan Program leading to a default rate less than half the rate of their peers borrowing from other programs.

Teens will also be provided with psychological assistance to ease the transition between high school and college to help develop connections to the campus and increase associations with a proactive peer group. Persistence coaching will also be provided to maintain consistent and supportive contacts, celebrate their achievements, and strengthen academic “soft skills,” such as time and stress management strategies.

Finally, Persistence Power will include institutional support with established partner universities. Teens will be provided with further campus-based support services, academic support, and an early warning system for interventions, especially during freshman year. Wyman teens and families are delighted to be a part of this program and have so many continued opportunities. For them it means they will be able to follow their dreams without the financial and social difficulties that burden most economically disadvantaged families.

Wyman teens say ‘Thank You!’ Your support of Wyman brokers hope for teens, providing them with the leadership, knowledge, opportunity, community and confidence they need to navigate the divide between the world they know and the future they desire. Thank you for making a difference.

Mia is an ambitious, intelligent and adventure-loving thirteen year-old. As a rising eighth-grader in her first summer in Wyman’s Teen Leadership Pro-gram (TLP), she is already looking down the road to future classes, colleges and potential jobs.

During the school year, Mia loves playing field hockey, plans on running track next spring and enjoys playing pick-up games of all kinds of sports. She is also a dedicated student, and next year Mia plans to bus to the local high school to take ninth-grade math, her favorite subject.

Even with all of the time spent at practices and keeping up her good grades, she made time for Wyman’s Teen Outreach Program (TOP). Mia re-ally enjoyed being a part of the program, especially the trips to Washington University in St. Louis and to Jefferson City for Wyman’s Annual Legislative Day.

After appreciating her experiences from TOP and hearing wonderful sto-ries from her older friends, Mia had no apprehensions about starting Wy-man’s TLP. “TLP is a great way to help get into a good college, and being on Wyman’s campus even feels like being at college,” Mia said.

Mia said that the sense of independence that comes from living on cam-pus and meeting great new people who let you be crazy at times without judging you is what makes her love Wyman. She is already eagerly looking forward to the next summer, future treks and spending time with all her new friends.

Mia is also excited to go on the college tour and see which colleges have the best biology programs. She hopes to major in biology and have a career as either a surgeon or a forensic anthropologist. Mia plans to continue work-ing hard on her studies, athletics and in Wyman’s TLP to continue improving those around her with her positive and ambitious outlook.

Mia – Athlete, Student, FriendTeen

Profile

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Alumna Tomminesha went to Haiti for a service trip with Missouri State University.

Alum Billy, a member of the first TLP graduating class, will be attending IU in the fall to pursue a

Master’s in Public Health.

Libby M. was named Missouri Distinguished Young Woman 2012. By winning this state level, she is awarded

cash scholarships and several choices of scholarships offered from about 15 colleges. The program aims to

positively impact the lives of young women by providing a transformative experience that promotes and rewards

scholarship, leadership and talent. Libby also scored a 30 on her ACT!

AnDre’ B. attended an engineering camp at the University of Missouri to learn about all the engineering programs

and gain some hands-on experience!

Mia participated in Wyman’s Teen Outreach Program in 7th grade and just started her five-year journey in Wyman’s Teen Leadership Program. She is eager to see what else Wyman has to offer!

EvidenceofExellenceEvery day, Wyman teens experience accomplishments big and small.

These successes at school, home and in their communities are “Evidence of Excellence.”

1898 Society Promises to Change Future GenerationsWyman has been serving thousands youth from disadvantaged circumstances in St. Louis since 1898. This tireless dedication continues today with the inauguration of Wyman’s 1898 Society, whose members create a lasting legacy through a planned gift. These gifts help to ensure that future generations of teens will be provided with opportunities to become economically self-sufficient, leaders in their communities and ultimately break the cycle of poverty. Jack Wichmann, a member of the 1898 Society, board member and financial planner, says

“leaving a planned gift for Wyman is both wise for your family financially and for the future generations of St. Louis.” Please contact Alesia (alesia.hanners@wymancenter.org) if you have any questions about a planned gift or if you are already planning on making Wyman a part of your legacy so we can recognize your generosity today!

600 Kiwanis DriveEureka, MO 63025

Non Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDSt. Louis, MOPermit # 495

News, Events & OpportunitiesEvents

■ Wyman Wobble Gobble: November 19, 2011; Wyman’s Eureka Campus

■2012 Wyman Orange Carpet Gala: Presented by Ameren Missouri; Saturday, March 3, 2012; Four Seasons Hotel

For more information, contact Alesia Hanners at (636) 549-1247 or visit www.wymancenter.org.

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Opportunities y Have lunch with Wyman teens! Get to know Wyman teens over a delicious

cafeteria lunch. Learn how their program is going and what their next step is going to be and share some of your own experiences! Various dates and locations are available. Email alesia.hanners@wymancenter.org for more information.

y Want to go for a run? Join us for the Wyman Wobble Gobble on November 19, 2011 for a 5-mile trail run through our beautiful Eureka Campus to support Wyman teens. Call the Race Information Line at 314-216-0369 with any question or concerns.

y The Saigh Foundation presents the Wyman’s second Saigh Symposium, a learning series designed for youth practitioners, parents and community leaders. Join us in October to listen to Chris Ohlemeyer, a St. Louis physician with a specialty in the field of adolescence and pediatrics. Email carol.lee@wymancenter.org for more information, or visit www.wymancenter.org.

News y Wyman’s Teen Outreach Program (TOP®) was named an evidence-based

Mental Health Promotion program by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA). Wyman is thrilled at this high honor and hopes that it will open doors for more teens to receive the program nationwide. NREPP’s listing is an ultimate seal of excellence marking that which those who have experienced the program already know. Wyman’s Teen Outreach Program truly works!

y Wyman’s 2010 Annual Report is now available online at www.wymancenter.org/give.php. If you would like to request a hard copy of the annual report, please email emily.black@wymancenter.org.