Tree House Reaches-out To At-Risk Kids
Posted by Steve Frazier
Our Program on March 2nd was introduced by Dave Peterka. Speaking on behalf of TREEHOUSE was Lisa Stordahl, the Director of Community Advancement for the organization.
TREEHOUSE is a local program designed to help kids in trouble. It was started at Cooper High School in 1984 by Fred Peterson, who was a teacher at the school. The program is designed to work with the hopeless - those kids who have no home life or have bad homes, and those who feel unwanted and unloved because of recurring generational problems within their families. Lisa told of kids who became the first in their family to graduate from high school, who had drug dealing done in their home but are now in college, who attempted suicide multiple times until they were found by TREEHOUSE.
Last year, TREEHOUSE served 1300 teenagers, making a difference in their lives by giving them positive affirmation. Participants are from age 11 thru 18, both male and female, and they meet twice a week in group settings, usually about 8 in a group. Teens are referred to TREEHOUSE by teachers, pastors, parents, friends, and the courts. The program deals with "level 2" teens - they are not equipped to handle the recidivist kids. There is a faith component in the program, but it is non-denominational.
Each staff member has about 25 kids that are their responsibility. They get to know the kids, relate with them frequently, and reinforce their good activities. Some of the kids have never heard a positive comment about themselves, so it is a program where positives are emphasized. Staff members have to raise funds before they are hired; they must bring in money equal to at least half of their pay before they enter training. Training jncludes suicide prevention (suicide is a very common problem with these teens), and ways to interact positively with kids. TREEHOUSE currently has 5 locations in the West Metro, serving all of the cities in the area from buildings located in Minnetonka, Chaska, New Hope, Bloomington, and St Louis Park. (Story by Tad Shaw)
TREEHOUSE is a local program designed to help kids in trouble. It was started at Cooper High School in 1984 by Fred Peterson, who was a teacher at the school. The program is designed to work with the hopeless - those kids who have no home life or have bad homes, and those who feel unwanted and unloved because of recurring generational problems within their families. Lisa told of kids who became the first in their family to graduate from high school, who had drug dealing done in their home but are now in college, who attempted suicide multiple times until they were found by TREEHOUSE.
Last year, TREEHOUSE served 1300 teenagers, making a difference in their lives by giving them positive affirmation. Participants are from age 11 thru 18, both male and female, and they meet twice a week in group settings, usually about 8 in a group. Teens are referred to TREEHOUSE by teachers, pastors, parents, friends, and the courts. The program deals with "level 2" teens - they are not equipped to handle the recidivist kids. There is a faith component in the program, but it is non-denominational.
Each staff member has about 25 kids that are their responsibility. They get to know the kids, relate with them frequently, and reinforce their good activities. Some of the kids have never heard a positive comment about themselves, so it is a program where positives are emphasized. Staff members have to raise funds before they are hired; they must bring in money equal to at least half of their pay before they enter training. Training jncludes suicide prevention (suicide is a very common problem with these teens), and ways to interact positively with kids. TREEHOUSE currently has 5 locations in the West Metro, serving all of the cities in the area from buildings located in Minnetonka, Chaska, New Hope, Bloomington, and St Louis Park. (Story by Tad Shaw)