The Sequoia Teen Resource Center was open September 2004. The Center serves the Sequoia High School student population and their families. It is a collaborative effort between Sequoia Union High School District, Redwood City 2020, Human Services Agency, Youth Family and Enrichment Services, and Center for Youth.

Mission

The Sequoia Teen Resource Center provides free confidential counseling, and youth development services to help students increase their academic performance, improve behavior and personal relationships, make positive decisions and set future goals. The Center teaches youth skills and provides them with opportunities to make changes in their personal lives, families, school, and community.

The Center is open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is located next to the Health Aide Office at Sequoia High School. For further information about our services and programs, contact Judy Romero, Director at (650) 369-1411 x6491.

The Center partners with Sequoia District Wellness Center located on James Street at the entrance of the parking lot. The Wellness Center is a satellite clinic of San Mateo Medical Center and provides health care services to youth 12-21 years of age. If you would like further information about the Wellness Center, please contact Dr. Sylvia Espinoza at (650) 366-2927.

• Counseling
• Youth Development Programs
• Health Education
• Parent workshops
• Case Managment
• Lunch time Intramurals

Counseling

The Sequoia Teen Resource Center provides free crisis, individual, family and group counseling. Students can self-refer or are referred by parents/guardians, guidance counselors, teachers or other school staff. A referral form is required to be filled out. Counseling is provided on a voluntary basis. Students are not required to participate.

Parent Workshops

In collaboration with the Parent Resource Center, the Sequoia Teen Resource Center provides parent workshops on topics of interest to parents/guardians. Center staff facilitates or recruits individuals and/or agencies in the community to facilitate workshops.

Youth Development Programs

• Youth Advisory Board
• Peer Educator Program
• Peer Mediation Program
• Healthy Sequoia Advisory Council
• How Youth Perceive The Environment

Health Education

• Health Fair- Community agencies are invited to give out resources and information to students. Youth groups are also involved.
• Center for Youth staff provide health education in classrooms.
• ESL Girls Health and Wellness Education Group
• School-wide outreach efforts focused on health issues.
• Youth Advisory Board members participate on city, county and school district committees focused on health and wellness.

Case Management

• Notre Dame AmeriCorps members provide individual case management for selected students .

Lunch Time Intramurals

• Organize intramurals twice a week during lunch time for any interested students.

Youth Advisory Board

Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is the student voice for the Center. Ninth thru twelve grade students are represented on the board. It is a volunteer board in which students can obtain community service hours. Youth Advisory Board members conduct a needs assessment at the school to find out what issues are relevant to the students at Sequoia. Based on the needs assessment the YAB is divided into committees to focus on these issues. Youth Advisory Board members also represent the Sequoia Teen Resource Center on district, city and county committees such as the School District's Wellness Policy Committee, and San Mateo County Obesity Task Force. In addition, Youth Advisory Board members provide outreach for both the Sequoia Teen Resource Center and Sequoia District Wellness Center.

Peaceful Intervention Program-Peer Mediation

The Peaceful Intervention Program is Sequoia's Peer Mediation group. The group is composed of Sequoia students 9th through 12th grade who receive training in conflict mediation skills. Throughout the year, our peer mediators provide mediations for any students who are working through a conflict. If you ever have a conflict with a peer, you can request peer mediation yourself by notifying a teacher or coming to the Teen Resource Center.

For more information about the Youth Advisory Board or Peaceful Intervention Program, please contact Brian Lau at the Teen Resource Center, (650) 369-1411 x6492.

Peer Educator Program*

Students interested in becoming Peer Educators will attend weekly trainings and have the chance to conduct classroom health education sessions. They will also be trained to share information and resources with friends and peers at health fairs and other school events.

Topics Peer Educators receive training on:

Relationships & Alcohol & Drugs

• Sexual Health & Decision Making & Nutrition & Physical Activity
• Getting Health Care & Counseling & Health & Wellness

Benefits of being a Peer Educator

• Build leadership skills
• Learn public speaking skills
• Meet new people and make new friends
• Help others in your school and community
• Gain valuable experience for college & jobs
• Share info with friends & peers about drugs, alcohol, safe sex, nutrition, health care, birth control & health services

Recent Peer Educators said their self-esteem increased and they made positive changes in their lives after participating in the training:

For more information on the Peer Education program, contact the Teen Resource Center Annex at 650.369.1411 X6379.

* The Peer Educator program is run by The Center for Youth, a non-profit organization in San Mateo County.

Gay Straight Alliance

The Gay Straight Alliance is a group of students that are committed to working together to create a safe environment for all students of different sexual orientations that attend Sequoia High School. The GSA works towards raising awareness among students and staff about LGBTQ students.

For more information, please contact Judy Romero at (650) 369-1411 x6491.

How Youth Perceive the Environment (H.Y.P.E.)

Students from Sequoia and Redwood High School have come together to form the H.Y.P.E.- How Youth Perceive the Environment. Students meet after school 3 times a week and gain skills in communication, leadership, and social action research. Through these skills, students will identify barriers that keep youth from being outdoors and create action projects to address those challenges. Students receive a stipend for their participation and visit many beautiful outdoor spaces in the area through the program.

For more information about H.Y.P.E., please contact Judy Romero at the Teen Resource Center(650) 369-1411 x6491.

Healthy Sequoia

Want to make Sequoia a healthier place? Then come join the newest group on campus, Healthy Sequoia, and make a difference in everything from school lunches to physical activities. You'll get to work with students at Sequoia and across the district on different health and wellness projects, including food tasting fairs and presentations to local middle schools. Group meets on Thursday 3:30-5:00 p.m. in the Teen Resource Center.

For more information about Healthy Sequoia, please contact Brian Lau at the Teen Resource Center (650) 369-1411 x6492.

I feel more comfortable talking to people and being myself.

I learned ways to say "No " at parties to drugs and drinking.

I am more knowledgeable on subjects like alcohol so I have been helpful to some of my friends.

I really liked participating at the health fair and speaking up

I feel more alive and positive in life.

I got a good feeling I hadn't had in a long time.

Health Education

Our health education sessions include the following topics:

► Drugs & alcohol

► Culture, respect & self esteem

► Nutrition & physical activities

► Healthy Relationships

► Sexual health and decision-making

► Accessing healthcare & counseling

For more information please contact Nancy Evans at (650) 369-1411 x6368 or nevans@seq.org .

ESL Girls Health & Wellness Group

The group is facilitated by Center for Youth staff. Girls meet after school during 8th period. Topics covered are generated by the interest of the girls. Examples of topics are: healthy relationships, decision-making, nutrition, positive body image, self-esteem, assertiveness skills, and access to health care.

For more information, please contact Lilly Campos or Nancy Evans at the Teen Resource Center Annex (650) 369-1411 x 6379.

Sequoia Teen Resource Center provides opportunities for Marriage and Family Therapy graduate students to do their trainee/internship at the Center.

Interns and trainees receive weekly individual clinical supervision. The Sequoia Teen Resource Center provides a friendly, safe, team oriented, learning environment. Interns and trainees are registered through Human Services Agency and must be finger printed and have a recent TB test.

For further information, please contact Judy Romero at (650) 369-1411 x6491 or email jromero@seq.org.

For general questions, please contact Judy Romero. You can also send a fax to (650) 839-8988. We look forward to your questions.