Teen Impact
Teen Impact gives teens with cancer an opportunity to make new friends, share life experiences and participate in fun activities. The adolescents who participate in Teen Impact:
Teen Impact WebsiteTeens in our program maintain a special website linking teens with cancer to each other for support (entry is restricted to teens in the program).
Programs and ServicesSupport Groups
These four groups all meet at the same time so that all members of the family can receive the specialized help that they need. Newly Diagnosed Teens Three-Day RetreatsTeen Impact is proud to offer unique three-day retreats for teens and young adults with cancer. Activities during retreats include opportunities for social rehabilitation, including dances, swimming, outings to amusement parks and plenty of time to socialize with peers. The retreats allow our teen members to participate in normal adolescent activities they have often missed out on because of their illness and treatment. Special group activities are planned each day to promote diversity, individuality, group cohesion and bonding, and to focus on identified themes and issues of survivorship. The opportunity to build friendships during retreats increases participants’ comfort with the group, and a sense of belonging and trust. A physician and nurse attend all retreats in order provide care for teens who are still receiving treatment, or have special medical needs. Adventure Therapy RetreatsTeen Impact offers its adolescent members unique opportunities to participate in adventure therapy trips. Past examples of these retreats include ski trips, white-water rafting excursions, and sailing expeditions to Catalina Island. These exciting adventures encourage teens at any level of physical ability to push beyond their personal comfort zones, creating strong bonds of trust with one another and building self-esteem as they navigate new challenging environments. Teen Impact often collaborates with other organizations like CoachArt to offer these adventurous experiences. Young Adult Mentor ProgramOur Young Adult Mentor Program is one of the most unique features of Teen Impact. We use a special training curriculum designed to prepare young adult survivors of childhood cancer to become retreat counselors and mentors. Having experienced cancer first-hand, these counselors reach out to the teen group members as only someone who has shared a similar experience can, thus making a lasting impact. As models for younger members, young adult members foster hope, introduce diverse coping strategies and demonstrate successful life-span transitions. Through this program, mentors gain a sense of empowerment and meaning to their personal illness experience.
|
| Bookmark Us: |    |
