Safe Sex: Being Safe With Your Body and Your Heart

COME JOIN TEEN LINKERS AT:

*Not Just Queer: A Deeper Look at Identity*
As young people we want to be aware of the intersectionalities of race,
class, ability, gender, sexuality, and age. We all come with many
different identities which in turn affect how we view the world and how
the world views us. Join Kyle and Emery as we take a closer look at
gender and sexuality!

*Who: *Young people ages 13-25
*When:* Saturday, January 21st, 12-2pm
*Where:* Seattle Counseling Services (1216 Pine Street, Suite 300) on
Capitol Hill

Space is limited! Sign-up now.
For more information, accessibility questions or to register,contact
Kristina: kristina@nwnetwork.org kristina@nwnetwork.org

or
(206) 568-7777.

How am I going to pay for college?

The question is a big on the mind of every kid as they prepare to apply for college.   Although the question is huge, the number of options to finance college is limited to parents, scholarship, financial aid or jobs. If your parents can pay for college, that is great, but if they can’t or won’t then it becomes your responsibility to take on jobs and student loans. Many colleges have great financial aid programs to help students finance their education.  There are also various scholarships, based on school and extracurricular activities, race, and gender which are available to students.   Colleges also have many job opportunities, such as working at the library or sports facilities. However, I would recommend really finding a job that is in line with your interests and could also help you in your career of choice. However, a job is very time consuming and impedes your college activities.   Therefore, a good idea is to take on a greater workload during the summers of high school, and college so that you can save up more money and work less during school.

Here is a link to brain storm ideas on how to pay for college:

http://www.studentbank.com/featured/101-ways-to-pay-for-college/

Good luck,

Teen Link.

Traveling tips for the winter holidays...

Traveling Tips for the Winter Holidays
Are you traveling for the holidays? Here are tips from an avid traveler. If you’re traveling just an hour away, to across the country, don’t forget a camera! Here are some tips for traveling during the holidays.

1.      Traveling by Plane?
•       Wear comfy, easy to put on shoes, preferably without laces!
•       If you are checking your suitcase, you can try tying a colorful ribbon or tag so you can distinguish your luggage from all the rest when you go to pick it up at your destination.
•       When choosing a carry-on bag, make sure it has zippers, because in the over head compartment, or underneath seats, you don’t want all your stuff spilling out of your bag!
•       Don’t forget to take off your belt when going through security! Everyone always forget their belts, watches, anything metal in their pockets all the time!
•       Cut the time you spend going through security by having your quart sized bag of liquids and laptops ready to go, so you can easily access it instead of rummaging through your carry on.
•       Walgreens and other drug stores have travel-sized bottles for shampoos.
•       Going somewhere hot? You can wear shorts under sweats if you’re too lazy to change in airport.
•       Bring an iPod, a book, a magazine, a game, anything to keep you entertained on your flight! Or just take a snooze.
•       If your ears pop, trying chewing some gum during take off and landing.

2.      Traveling on a Boat?
•       Bring some medicine just in case you get seasick
•       Maybe take along some snacks, so you have some emergency food
•       Make sure you keep all of your items together so you don’t leave anything behind.

3.      Traveling by Car?
•       Bring a map or have a GPS handy for your travels
•       The Letter Game: Try finding something outside that starts with every letter of the alphabet
•       Bring some good music to play, and if it is a long car ride, make sure you have a large variety of music, so you don’t keep playing the same songs over and over and over again. Or if you are not electronically challenged, you can bring an iPod along to play in the car through the speakers.
•       Try different and weird flavored gum from different gas stations
•       Grab a pillow from home! Car windows are uncomfortable
•       If you don’t get car sick, maybe bring some kind of videogame like and iPod touch or a puzzle book if that kind of stuff floats your boat.
4.      Traveling by Train?
•       If you are traveling in Coach, make sure you have a clear vision of all your belongings, just in case someone tries to “accidentally” take your luggage home with them.
•       Sleeper train? Make sure you close curtains, so it isn’t awkward for everyone walking by your compartment.

College Apps...AHHH! How to manage the stress.

If any of you are thinking about college apps or are in the process of doing them, then you probably know what a harpoon in your face they are. I feel your pain. Fortunately for us, there are a number of websites that give tips on how to manage stress. Check out a few:

http://mycollegeguide.org/blog/11/2011/4-ways-reduce-stress-applying-college/
http://school.familyeducation.com/college-prep/stress/39320.html
http://blog.collegeplanningservices.org/my-blog/2011/09/manage-the-stress-of-applying-to-college.html

Using art to change the world

Art of Leadership

 

The Art of Leadership is a high-energy creative facilitation training for young leaders.
This experiential workshop is for youth, ages 14-18, who are interested in leading groups and organizing events using the arts. The arts can be a powerful tool for accomplishing your goals and creating engagement within a group. During the Art of Leadership you will learn effective facilitation techniques and leave with a “tool-box” of easy-to-lead art activities (from the realms of visual art, theatre, creative writing, and more)!

“I have this quote I live by: ‘I don’t think outside the box, I think inside a different one.’ You guys did exactly that! I expected to get a lecture and everything but you guys met me at my spot. You took something different (theater) and turned it into leadership. I loved it.” -2009 Youth Participant

 

Art of Leadership I                                                               Art of Leadership II

November 12-13, 2011                                                       December 10-11, 2011

12:00 pm to 7:00 pm                                                           12:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Lunch and snacks will be provided                                        Lunch and snacks will be provided

Costs: $50.00                                                                     Costs: $50.00

Application deadline: TBA                                                Application Deadline: TBA 

 

**$50 Discount for referring a friend. In order to qualify for discount, referrals must be new inquiries (i.e. have had no previous participation in POH programming) and must attend the POH program you have referred them for. One discount per person. If the new participant is referred by two or more people, the first person to refer them will receive the discount.**

 

Email your registration to poh@powerofhope.org or mail it to:
The Power of Hope
4408 Delridge Way SW Suite 105

Seattle, WA 98106

 

For more information contact us at poh@powerofhope.org or (206) 938-6090

APPLY NOW!

A safe place

 http://kingcounty.gov/transportation/kcdot/NewsCenter/NewsReleases/2011/August/nr083111_SafePlace.aspx

Youth in crisis can seek out a King County Metro bus for help

“Safe Place” program helps bus operators connect youth to local services

Tonight in King County, more than 1,000 young people may find themselves without a safe place to go. Some are abandoned, some are abused, and few know where to get help. Within 48 hours on the streets, one in three runaways will be approached by a predator.
But starting today, help is just a bus away thanks to a new partnership between King County, local service agencies, and “Safe Place,” a national non-profit organization that builds community safety nets for young people in crisis.
“Young people in crisis with no place to turn can now seek out a nearby Metro bus and find an operator who is ready to help,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “Our coaches are out at all hours of the day in all parts of the county, and this offer of a Safe Place should bring a little peace of mind to families. I thank our operators for taking this extra step to protect our region’s youth.”
“Preventing young people from becoming homeless is a big step toward our efforts to solve homelessness and to keep at-risk kids safe,” said King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert, who helped coordinate the partnership. “Safe Place expands the reach of our existing youth services by connecting with our network of buses and finding new ways to get help to youth in crisis. Any teen who is scared and alone and confused should know at least one thing – the nearest Metro bus is a safe place to get help.”
With the addition of Metro and the local service agencies — YouthCare, Friends of Youth, and Auburn Youth Resources — King County becomes the largest Safe Place partner in the state of Washington and one of 1,529 communities nationwide with a Safe Place program. The purpose of the program is to have the necessary community resources in place to get help to young people quickly, decreasing the potential for harm.
“We are thrilled to bring this Safe Place program to King County and the Seattle metropolitan area,” National Safe Place Executive Director Laurie Jackson said. “As a community with a large number of homeless and street youth, having Safe Place as an option presents a great opportunity to connect these young people in need to available local resources. Utilizing King County Metro buses as Safe Place sites make accessing safety as close as the nearest bus.”
When a young person in crisis needs help, all he or she has to do is approach any Metro bus driver and say, “I need a safe place.” The operator will then make a call that will trigger contact with a youth service provider, who will arrange to meet and transport the youth to safety.
Sound Transit Express buses serving King County will also participate in the program.
What happens next depends on the needs of the youth. Sometimes it’s counseling and providing help to reunite the child with family or friends. In the absence of alternatives, youth can be taken to a safe shelter.
“Over the past two years, we’ve seen an alarming increase in the number of youth seeking shelter and support from YouthCare,” observed Melinda Giovengo, Executive Director of this non-profit which provides services to homeless youth in Seattle. “Safe Place is no doubt a program that will greatly benefit our community, as all of our children deserve safety and support.”
“Metro is proud to be a partner in this effort to make our county a safer place to be for young people,” Metro Operations Manager Jim O’Rourke said. “Our operators are accustomed to serving as the community’s eyes and ears. Through this program, they can now additionally serve as a bridge in helping to get kids off the street and into the hands of a youth resource agency that can help.”
In addition to help from Metro drivers, young people in King County have another option if they need help quickly. “Text 4 HELP” is a National Safe Place service being introduced that uses technology to offer information about the closest location to access immediate help and safety. By texting the word “SAFE” and their current location to 69866, youth can get help within seconds.  In our area, they will be referred to shelters that will provide the assistance they need.
On any given night, United Way estimates there are 700-1,000 young people with no safe place to sleep in Seattle alone. It’s estimated that at least 300-500 children in King County under the age of 18 are sexually exploited each year. That’s a troubling statistic, given estimates that one in three runaways will be lured into prostitution within 48 hours.
Through the work of agencies such as YouthCare, Auburn Youth Resources, and Friends of Youth, young people can get the help they need. In 2010, more than 4,000 runaway and homeless young people ages 12-24 accessed YouthCare  services in Seattle – from street outreach, emergency shelters, meals and drop-in services, to education, employment training, and transitional housing.
The new Safe Place partnership in King County welcomes other organizations and businesses interested in providing additional safe places where youth can get connected with services. Facilities frequented by young people, such as libraries and malls and coffee shops, are good candidates.
“More than anything, our children deserve to feel safe,” said Councilmember Lambert. “Keeping just one child out of trouble and out of harm’s way can make the difference for a lifetime of success.”
To learn more about the Safe Place program, please visit: www.nationalsafeplace.org and www.youthcare.org