National Child Abuse Prevention Month
A 2017 study estimated that 1,720 children in the United States died that year from abuse and neglect. Of those fatalities, 72 percent of the children were younger than three years old. Prevention of these types of tragedies is why the Youth Crisis Center is promoting National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Every April, National Child
Shining a Light on National Youth Violence Prevention Week
During the month of April, the National Youth Violence Prevention Campaign is recognized for one week. This year, National Youth Violence Prevention Week takes place April 12 – April 16th. Around 200,000 homicides occur annually worldwide among youth between the ages of 10-29. According to the World Health Organization, that makes up 43% of the total number
Youth Crisis Center Advocates for Funding from Florida Legislature
Children in Need of Help Playful, spirited, fun and happy – these are the things that come to mind when you think of children. However, many children struggle to find a carefree youth; instead, they experience anger or behavioral issues that plague their everyday lives. “If left untreated – whether it’s due to lack of
YCC On-Campus School Helps Students Get Back on Track
Too Far Gone Craig* is 16 years old. He is looking toward his future and has decided he wants to get training to become a roofer. It’s a great job with a salary as high as $80,000 a year. The problem is, while students Craig’s age are getting ready to start their junior year or
Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention
February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, which is a nationwide effort to raise awareness about abuse in teenage relationships and promote programs that educate young people on the importance of having a healthy relationship. Hubbard House Teaches Teens the Importance of Healthy Relationships Jacksonville’s Youth Crisis Center and Hubbard House first
National Human Trafficking Awareness Month
It sounds like the plot from a terrifying Hollywood thriller; a young girl runs away in an act of defiance and then disappears for years. Only it’s not the next blockbuster, it’s the real story of a young girl we will call A.G. Like many teenagers, A.G. had a rocky home life. She struggled with authority
National Homeless and Hunger Awareness Month
For many families, November is a month filled with Thanksgiving dinners, family gatherings and the kick-off of holiday shopping. Yet, for millions of other young people, their reality couldn’t be further from these festivities. The National Runaway Switchboard estimates that on any given night there are approximately 1.3 million homeless youth living unsupervised on the
National Runaway Prevention Month
A Teenager Acting Out Senora Reynolds has a loud, bustling and energetic home with seven children. They range in age from toddlers to teenagers. The older kids help out, the smaller ones have their chores, and everyone has a role to get work done in this big, busy family. However, as Senora’s daughter, Senora Lee,
Navigating Relationships After a Cancer Diagnosis
Cancer is a very scary word, and when one person in the family has been diagnosed, it can feel like the entire family is facing the disease. When Robert* was first diagnosed in February 2009 with bone marrow cancer, his whole life came to a standstill. “I went from working 40+ hours each week and
Jax Journal Spotlights YCC
On October 27th Danielle Leigh from Jax Journal sat down with President and CEO Kim Sirdevan from the Youth Crisis Center. Take a listen as they discuss everything from crisis services offered by YCC to upcoming projects and how you can get involved. Founded in 1974 as Florida’s first runaway program, Youth Crisis Center has grown to one of the largest
The Connection Between Domestic Violence and Bullying
Could That Bully Actually Be a Victim of Domestic Violence? As we mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month, along with Bullying Prevention Month, it’s the perfect time to examine the connection between domestic violence and bullying. Studies show that children exposed to violence at home tend to participate in higher levels of physical bullying than young
The Jim Moran Foundation Funds Critical Visual Arts Program for Youth
In what is being called one of the worst funding years for arts and culture by the state of Florida, the Youth Crisis Center (YCC) and Cathedral Arts Project (CAP) say funding from The Jim Moran Foundation has been more critical than ever for the youth both agencies serve. A partnership with CAP has provided
International Day of Non-Violence
Be a Peacemaker in a Conflict-Filled World People complain about the evening news; it’s all bad news, there’s too much violence and it makes them feel helpless. It’s easy to see why. According to the Peace Alliance, 1.6 million deaths worldwide every year are the result of violence. It is one of the leading causes of
Youth Crisis Center Teams With Feeding Northeast Florida To Fight Childhood Obesity
Learning more about nutrition can be helpful in avoiding childhood obesity.THE U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS The Youth Crisis Center (YCC) and Feeding Northeast Florida are teaming up to combat obesity in Jacksonville’s children. September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. About one in five children over six in the U.S. are considered
“Family Means Nobody Gets Left Behind or Forgotten.” – Lilo & Stitch
During her fifteen-plus years in the mental health field, Cecelia Stalnaker-Cauwenberghs, LMHC, has met her share of people who feel lost, sad or abandoned. As a licensed mental health counselor and current Director of Program Services at the Youth Crisis Center (YCC), she says those feelings can often be indicators of suicidal thoughts. The Questionnaire
World Suicide Prevention Day
Something Was Wrong Justice’s parents could tell, even as a child, that their bright and precocious daughter was struggling with something. They didn’t know what it was, and she couldn’t explain it. They had her tested for everything from ADD to autism and nothing showed up. When Justice turned 12, her behavior was so extreme that
Family Is Where You Find It
Most people would admit to preferring the company of happy people over grumps. But did you know that happiness is contagious and can spread to an entire group of people from just one happy person? National Happiness Happens Day encourages us to recognize happy moments and think about happiness in our daily lives. This “happy-holiday”
How Friends Can Save Your Life
The popular show Friends featured a group of friends who experienced the everyday struggles of life, love and growing up. The theme throughout the series was finding support in each other despite obstacles or disagreements. Those virtues of a good friendship are celebrated on the first Sunday of August during National Friendship Day, set to
Minority Mental Health Month
Young people face many potentially overwhelming challenges, including peer pressure, cyber bullying and grade anxiety. For some, these problems are further exacerbated by a mental illness, posing a simultaneous challenge to their maturation, development of life management skills and emotional stability. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that 21% of young adults have a
YCC and the use of Civil Citations
Do Civil Citations work? Is the program seeing success? First Coast Connect guest host, Charlene Shirk and Juvenile Director of the 4th Judicial District State Attorney’s Office, Laura Lambert discuss these issues with YCC’s President and CEO, Kim Sirdevan. Click below to listen to the latest discussion regarding the use of Civil Citations instead of
What is Touchstone Village?
18 Years Old, Alone and Afraid When Andrew was 18 years old, he found himself adrift. A high school dropout, at odds with his dad, he left home with no real knowledge about how to take care of himself. “I was on the streets,” explains Andrew. “I was just lost and alone.” Andrew saw some
Why Girls are More Likely Than Boys to Suffer in Silence
Numerous studies, spanning decades, have found that girls talk more often – and earlier – than boys. So, when girls are suddenly quiet or withdrawn, it truly can be a cause for concern. “Boys act out externally – they are more aggressive or destructive, and their behavior is directed outwards toward others,” explains Sterling Hurst,
SNAP Expands to Elementary Schools
Conflict is a normal part of a child’s life. In fact, it can be a healthy way for them to learn how to manage their emotions, problem solve and compromise with their peers. However, when conflict is not managed correctly, either at home or at school, it can impact a child’s relationships, self-esteem and ability
Warning signs that your child may be a target for perpetrators
In the midst of a 12-year old girl from Jacksonville that had gone missing, Youth Crisis Center’s Director of Programs talked to Channel 4 News about warning signs that your child may be a target for perpetrators. Young children are “perfect victims for perpetrators that are looking for a child that may have a low
Bad Attitudes Don’t Mean Bad Kids
Bad Attitudes Don’t Mean Bad KidsWe’ve all heard these terms: “kids will be kids”, “it’s just a phase, they’ll grow out of it” or “it’s a teenager thing.” Sure, we hear it, but it is no fun to live with this behavior or be the parent of a child or teen acting in this way.
Top Reasons Why Parents Don’t Get Help for Troubled Kids
Parenting is a tough job – even beyond the obvious sleepless nights, endless laundry and constant worry. It’s a job made even more difficult by the seemingly never-ending presence of people who want to tell you how you “should be” parenting your child. From your favorite eatery to your own home, they love to share
A Graduation Like No Other
A Graduation Like No Other There are few things more exciting than a graduation ceremony. It represents accomplishment, achievement and an investment in a better future. For families in the Youth Crisis Center’s (YCC) SNAP® program, SNAP® graduation is a time they can reflect on how far they’ve come over the past 13 weeks, and
What is SNAP®?
Getting Help When Your Child Is Acting Out New mom Octavia was excited about starting her family. She was a proud momma – to say the least – when she had her first child. Smart and sweet, her son was well behaved at church, during visits to his grandparents and when he played with friends.
Nonprofit Seeking More “Safe Place” Sites Across Northeast Florida
The Youth Crisis Center, located in Jacksonville and founded in 1974 is seeking additional Northeast Florida locations to be Safe Place sites where at-risk youth can get immediate help. Area Safe Place sites are characterized by the yellow and black Safe Place sign, and include police and fire stations, public libraries, local businesses, Walmarts, Sam’s
Warning Signs Someone Could Commit a Violent Attack; How to React
“If you see something, say something- it could save someone’s life.” Kim Sirdevan, President and CEO of Youth Crisis Center spoke to CBS 47’s Jenna Bourne about the warning signs that could indicate someone may be capable of a violent attack. Some signs include loss of temper on a daily basis, announcing threats, plans for