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Project Name: Teen Talk Town Halls

Neighborhood Communities that the Project will Serve:CB Brooklyn 16 (Brownsville),CB Brooklyn 05 (E New York),CB Queens 12 (Jamaica/ St. Albans),CB Queens 04 (Elmhurst/Corona),CB Queens 14 (The Rockaways)

Borough: Queens,Brooklyn

Project Description: The Child Center is a mental health expert, having operated mental health clinics for children and teens since its founding in 1953. In the 1990s, the organization grew into youth development and has operated ever since afterschool programs, alternative high schools, Community Schools, and center-based programs (such as Cornerstone Community Centers in NYCHA housing). These twin expertise uniquely position us to offer high-quality, informative Town Halls for young people that strengthen mental wellness. Furthermore, we have already been successful with a similar program conducting youth-led Town Halls focused on COVID-19 health and safety information.

Teen Talks will offer 36 interactive, peer-led virtual/in-person Town Halls covering a wide range of mental health topics such as anxiety management, staying connected, and relaxation practices (mindfulness, meditation). Based out of four neighborhoods in Queens (Jamaica, Flushing, Elmhurst) and Brooklyn (Crown Heights), though open to teens from across NYC, Town Halls will be fun, informative, and participatory and include presentations, videos, music, art, games, discussions, and guest speakers such as Child Center clinicians and other mental health experts, resident doctors from Northwell Health, and other experts.

Teen participants will learn strategies for improving mental wellness, try out new skills, create artwork, connect with young people across the City, and be connected to resources (including mental health treatment offered at Child Center clinics, for those who need it), all of which will contribute to improved mental health for young people. Peer educators who act as Teen Talk facilitators (20 in total) will sharpen their leadership skills, conduct interesting research, network, bond with fellow peers, and receive stipends for participation.

Teen Talks, open to youth from across NYC, will provide a regular place for young people interested in improving their mental wellness to convene with like-minded peers to learn new skills, try out strategies like meditation and art therapy, share struggles, and hear from experts. Using a peer education model, Town Halls will be designed and led by young people themselves.

What Youth are saying about the organization: Our teen participants love that we offer youth-led programs that empower them to act as positive forces for change in their community.

Organization’s Social Media. Help us spread the word about our proposal!:

https://www.facebook.com/childcenterny/

https://twitter.com/ChildCenterNY

https://www.instagram.com/childcenterny/