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Get to know the Teen Outreach Program (TOP®)TOP is a year-long youth development program being delivered in eight high schools in Portland and Salem. TOP has been proven to reduce teen pregnancy rates and improve student academic success. The program includes a variety of classroom lessons, interactive activities, and service learning projects developed by youth.
This school year, over 1,000 Oregon high school students are enrolled in TOP. TOP students are increasing their communication, goal setting and decision-making skills, participating in fun, team building activities and building connections with their communities. TOP has received overwhelming support from students, parents, teachers, schools and community partners who highly regard the program and the valuable skills and experiences the students build while participating in TOP. Thank you to all of you who work with us to make this program a success!
TOP’s distinct approach to prevention and youth development engages students in meaningful volunteer projects, which the students choose and lead themselves, to make a positive impact on their communities. Take a look inside to see the amazing work all of the TOP students have done so far this school year!
• TOP has proven to effectively: * - reduce course failure rates by 60% - reduce teen pregnancy rates by 53% - reduce suspension rates by 52%
• In-class lessons include topics on communication, goal setting, decision making, and healthy relationships and sexual health.
• TOP is being delivered in five Northwest states through a five-year grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
• Participation in TOP is optional — both students and parents must opt in to the program and sign consent forms.
• TOP is free for schools and students!
• Educators receive ongoing training and assessment of their work to ensure quality program implementation.
TOPTeen Outreach Program Newsletter Spring 2013
* Allen, J.P. & Philliber, S. (2001) “Who Benefits Most from a Broadly Targeted Prevention Program? Differential Efficacy Across Populations in the Teen Outreach Program.” Journal of Community Psychology, 29 (6), 637-655.
Benson Shows a Lot of Love Many Benson students were interested in helping shelter animals and 61 teens participated in making cat toys and dog treats to donate to local shelters. Students wanted to continue volunteering and visited the Oregon Humane Society and Pixie Project to care for the animals and deliver the toys and treats they made in person. WE’VE GOT TECH PRIDE!
Jefferson Creates Change Jefferson students have participated in several service projects this year. Most recently 23 students made ‘Adopt Me’ bandanas for dogs at the Oregon Humane Society. Students created fun designs and sayings on the bandanas that would make anyone want to help a shelter animal and adopt their newest best friend! ROCK ON, DEMOCRATS!
LEP Acts to End Violence Leadership and Entrepreneurship Public Charter High School students came out in full force at the Rob Ingram Youth Summit Against Violence to address domestic, police, gang, LGBTQ, school/cyber bullying, and sexual violence that affects their day-to-day lives. Together they shared stories, brainstormed solutions, and spoke with elected officials about making their communities safer. 18 LEP students are participating in TOP this year. WE’RE SO PROUD OF OUR LEP STUDENTS!
Madison Feeds Oregon 85 Madison students are participating in TOP this year. Students say one of their favorite projects was volunteer-ing at the Oregon Food Bank. Students worked together to repack pears and lentils into family sized portions. Once the food is packaged by students it goes directly to soup kitchens and emergency food boxes for needy families. AWESOME WORK, SENATORS!
High school TOP clubs have volunteered almost 7,000 hours in their communities since the beginning of the school year!
BENSON JEFFERSON MADISON
LEP
McKay Lends a Hand to Seniors 97 enthusiastic students have been helping homebound seniors by volunteering at Meals on Wheels, helping prepare and serve meals. 28 McKay students participated in the SOLVE Beach Cleanup over spring break to help clean up the environment and make the coast a nice place for animals and humans alike. OUTSTANDING WORK, SCOTS!
North Salem Supports Our Troops Students at North Salem supported veterans and troops abroad by making care packages at the Kroc Center, designing placemats for a Veteran’s Appreciation Dinner, and making holiday cards for soldiers. 22 students participated in the SOLVE Beach Cleanup over spring break to help pick up garbage and recyclable materials. 116 students enrolled in TOP at this school made all these projects possible. VIKINGS ARE AMAZING!
Roosevelt Reaches Out to the Elderly Roosevelt students volunteered at Assumption Village Retirement Home and played bingo, baked cookies, painted nails, and talked with residents. The 66 students participating in TOP also made Valentines in class and delivered them to Assumption Village residents as well as to their teachers and staff at school. RIDERS ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE!
Wilson Raises Awareness Against Bullying Among other projects, 72 Wilson students identified bullying as an issue and decided to combat depression and low self-esteem in their school. They raised aware-ness by collecting anti-bullying pledges at lunch, writing post-its with positive messages and anti-bullying posters, and even creating a Facebook event page to advertise National No Name Calling Week. AMAZING JOB, TROJANS!
MCKAY NORTH SALEM
WILSONROOSEVELT
TOPErnesto Dominguez [email protected] am happy to be the TOP facilitator at Benson, Wilson, and Jefferson High Schools. Previously, I worked with youth at Cascade AIDS Project and I am also a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters. I truly believe that one adult can make a difference in the life of a young
person. I appreciate the amazing staff at each of my schools and that each school has such a unique culture and diverse community. My wonderful co-facilitator, Alyssa White from Impact NW, brings a lot of energy, knowledge, and passion to TOP.
Olivia Jarratt [email protected] is my second year with TOP and I am excited to be at Roosevelt High School and the Leadership and Entrepreneur-ship Public Charter High School (LEP). As a TOP facilitator, I am inspired daily by youth. I love listening to young people and helping students develop their
service projects. I work with two awesome co-facilitators, Kelsey Kiser from Neighborhood House SUN School and Patrice Kelly, the Testing Coordinator and Parenting Teacher at LEP, both of whom really care about our students.
Austin Lea [email protected] has been a fantastic opportunity to give back to my hometown. Helping youth create change in their community is one of my biggest passions. I worked for eight years in various youth development programs and I am in the middle of my second
year being a TOP Facilitator at Benson High School, and my first year at Wilson High School. I work with a great co-facilitator from Impact NW, Alyssa White, whom our students love! I really appreciate the amazing teachers, staff, and students I work with!
Misha Mayers [email protected] am the TOP Program Facilitator at McKay and North Salem High Schools. I have really enjoyed working with my students and helping them find their passion through volunteerism. Before joining the TOP team, I was a music teacher for ten years and continue to work as a music
director in Albany at the United Presbyterian Church. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with the TOP students and teachers. Thank you for being so welcoming and friendly!
Amanda McLaughlin [email protected] a second-year TOP facilitator, I am seeing how TOP helps our teens make healthier decisions and feel more connected to their community. Teaching is my passion and I am proud to work with such an amazing group of students! Before working with TOP, I was a Special Education
teacher and track coach for several years. I am lucky to work with a supportive health teacher, Julenne Qualls, and co-facilitate with a talented teacher and coach, Erin McNulty from the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO).
Aurora Rodriguez [email protected] am the TOP Co-Facilitator at McKay and North Salem High Schools. I like returning to my own high school (North Salem) to give back to my community. I love that North Salem is welcoming and diverse and that McKay students are eager and open to all the service
opportunities we offer them! I am also working for the Department of Human Services in child welfare and have worked for 5 years in the teaching field. I hope to pursue a Master’s degree in the future.
TOP is facilitated by these highly trained, certified and experienced educators
Administrative Contact: 503.775-4931 extension 2346
www.wymancenter.org
This project is supported by Grant Number TP1AH000075 from the Office of Adolescent Health. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Office of Adolescent Health, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, or the Department of Health and Human Services.
