 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Pact Teen & Tween Clubs |
 | |
 |
Pact Teen Club Teens only! A chance for adopted and fostered teens to have a good time together. Teen Club is a social group, not a support group, especially for adopted and fostered teens of color—although all adopted and or foster youth are invited to participate. The monthly meetings alternate between mentoring sessions that include facilitated discussions about race and being adopted, and social activities and projects. These activities not only allow time for friendships to form and grow, but incorporate creative and expressive ways for youth to think about their lives as adopted and fostered people. Integrated into club activities are opportunities to talk about adoption, family, and identity. Pact Tween Club The Tween group meets at the same time as the Teen group, but has its own mentors and activities. The tween years can start as young as ten or eleven, and have often been compared with the preschool years because of the dramatic changes that occur during the move to greater independence. Tweens develop a new ability to be introspective and analytical and develop new views of the world, some of which may be challenging to adults. Emotionally, their job is to become "their own person." For adopted and foster kids, this raises identity issues perhaps on a deeper level than has ever been possible before. The Tween Club provides a safe place where kids can find friends, share experiences, and be supported as they begin the transition into full Teen status. Who Can Join Pact's Teen Club is designed with adopted and foster teens of color in mind. Non-adopted siblings ages 10 and up may participate if they wish. We do not encourage youth to bring friends who are not personally touched by adoption or foster care. Events are open to club members only—teens will not be given entry if we do not already have their names or a parent, foster parent or guardian does not accompany them. To join Pact Teen Club, or to learn about and register for specific events, click here. Pact's Youth Coordinators Multiracial himself (Black and Mexican or, as he says, "Blaxican"), Guillermo Torres is dedicated to engaging youth through hip hop and spoken word. He has been working as a Poet Mentor Educator for the UC Davis School of Education (Sacramento Area Youth Speaks). Lisa Kelly, a biracial (Black/white) adoptee, has a Masters in Early Childhood Education and is a 5th grade teacher in Berkeley Unified School District. She and her brother were adopted transracially by white parents. Lisa understands the importance of adoptees of color coming together to collectively explore and learn about their culture, ancestry, and identity. CIT Program for Adopted and Fostered Youth of Color (and their siblings) Our Teen Club Counselor-in-Training program gives older teens (age 16 and up) the opportunity to participate with the younger youth in a mentorship role while earning Community Service Hours (5 hours per month). Being a CIT at Pact Teen Club is fun, but also demands a lot of hard work and responsibility. It's important to realize that if you are accepted, you become part of the team that makes Teen Club work for younger teens. To learn more about how to apply, contact youthcoordinator@pactadopt.org. Reluctant Teens and Tweens We understand that teens don't want parents or professionals selecting friends for them. Can Pact guarantee that each teen will have fun or connect with this group? No. Is pushing attendance just setting up another source of ammunition for them to say, "I told you so," if they don't have a good time? Maybe. Is it worth a try to give them an opportunity to find a group that may feel like a better fit than some others? We think so! For more on this topic, see "Attending Teen Club When Your Teen (Tween) is Reluctant" under Resources. |
 | |
 |
|
|
|
To learn about and register for upcoming Teen Club events, go to