FIRST 5 LA E-NEWSLETTER

June 12, 2006

Teens and Toddlers Program Boosts
Relationship Skills and Self-Esteem
Last year, Ana Rodriguez, a sophomore at Phoenix Continuation High School in West LA, was hardly speaking to her parents and doing poorly in school.
     But after completing a 15-week elective course, Teens and Toddlers, offered by Children: Our Ultimate Investment, a First 5 LA grantee, she has brought up her grades, improved her relationship with her parents, and set a goal of becoming a midwife.
     "She has blossomed," said Joe Groschadl, a teacher/advisor in the program, designed to build teens' self-esteem, improve their relationship skills, and reduce teen pregnancy. He credits the change in participants like Rodriguez to the interaction that they have as volunteer helpers at a neighboring child-care center.
    "Working with the mentally delayed kids makes me feel softer inside," said Rodriguez. "It makes me want to be a better person."
     Founded in 1978 by Laura Huxley, wife of philosopher/writer Aldous Huxley, the program has been offered in five California high schools and throughout England.
     Although birth rates for 15- to 19-year-olds have dropped over 33 percent since 1994, the U.S. still has the highest teen birth rates among industrialized countries. 
     The twice-weekly classes are taught by mental health professionals, who cover topics such as child-care skills, anger management, and self-reflection.
     For information, call Karen Pfeiffer, director of administration, at (323) 461-8248 or visit www.children-ourinvestment.org.