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 All three of my sons enjoyed the Teen Center facility and activities very much; the dances, Friday night dinner and a movie, volunteering at carnivals… They especially loved the leadership retreat that included the ropes course and rafting.
The Teen Center became the home away from home for my one son, Jonathan. It provided him with a job as a Peer Supervisor, but more importantly it provided positively engaged adult role models. After his father's death in his freshman year, male role models and a listening ear were two of the things Jonathan needed to stay on track. The staff at the Teen Center was incredibly helpful and supportive to both Jonathan and me. Staff were truly mentors to Jonathan and he would not have made it through the rough patches as successfully without their support, guidance, and encouragement. Jonathan's choices were influenced a great deal through the perseverance and example of staff members.
In the summer he worked Mountain Youth Corps. This gave him much needed income, taught him job skills and community service simultaneously. It helps the local environment by ridding areas of non-native species and fed a passion for healthy ecosystems within my son.
Jonathan also attended Chinook West. Without this option for alternative education my son would have dropped out of school. Instead, he is a motivated student and has become a passionate life-long learner holding a 4 year college scholarship and a 3.4 GPA. The critical thinking skills encouraged at Chinook West have proven very valuable to him in college. Additionally, the experiential education gained through the school trips was invaluable in character building and in directing his current path in college education.
- Dawn, parent
 “TEENS, Inc. is my foundation; it’s the first place that taught me about community. The responsibility and commitment to accomplishing my goals is owed to that community. The time that I have spent at TEENS, Inc. has shown me the importance of making strong positive connections with those in my life. I will always reflect on the time I spent at TEENS, Inc. as the base of my motivation and successes in life.”
~ Silas, age 19
“Megan is an extremely intelligent and talented young woman, but was struggling in the traditional High School environment. She was contemplating quitting school until she entered Chinook at the beginning of the second semester. The change was almost immediate. Her level of commitment, homework time and enthusiasm for learning soared. To our delight she not only doesn't want to quit school any longer, she is excited to graduate!”
Kathy, parent
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