Inspire Youth Project's Teen Program focuses on providing teens that are affected by HIV/AIDS with opportunities for growth, reflection, teamwork and fun. While teens receive support and advocacy throughout the year, we hold a number of events annually to bring all our teens together on a deeper and more meaningful level. We plan to send 25 teens to the annual team-building Ropes Course in June and 25 teen campers to our annual 2 day Teen Retreat in September.
As the rate of HIV/AIDS in women increases, so does the rate of affected children. Although physically healthy, these children are in a unique position emotionally. They are coping with difficult issues such as parting with loved ones, watching mom & dad get sick, acting as caretakers for parents & siblings, and feeling isolated from peers. These youth typically experience adversity and their search for a place in society can be traumatic. The result often leads to self-destructive behavior.
While teens receive support and advocacy throughout the year, the Ropes Course and Teen Retreat offer the much needed camaraderie of other youth who face the same challenges they do. Each year, Teen Retreat and the Ropes Course focus on developing the personal skills and tools needed to shape a meaningful and successful future. These interactive & fun programs allow our teens to develop communication, leadership, and cooperation skills in a fun environment where they feel safe to take chances.
This project will allow 25 teens to attend our annual team-building Ropes Course and our annual Teen Retreat at no cost to them. Through these programs, the camaraderie and support that carry many of our youth through hardship remains a continued presence as teens grow into adulthood.
