Professional Development

November is National Adoption Month. National Adoption Month has been celebrated for 17 years.  Every November, a Presidential Proclamation launches activities and celebrations to help build awareness of adoption throughout the nation. Thousands of community organizations arrange and host programs, events, and activities to share positive adoption stories, challenge the myths, and draw attention to

With our SPOTLIGHT Teen of the Month relaunch we will feature youth, ages 14-21, who are currently in foster care.  In June 2008, we featured Donte Young as our SPOTLIGHT Teen of the Month.  He was a high school sophomore, Chaplain of his high school’s the Student Government Association and member of the Praise Team.  Donte

I don’t usually use Wikepedia (for obvious reasons).  It is likely that I will never quote this website again, but I found their definition of youth empowerment to be pretty good.  According to Wikepedia, youth empowerment is an attitudinal, structural, and cultural process whereby young people gain the ability, authority, and agency to make decisions and

“All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson.   If you’re wondering why my workshops are called “Life Strategy” workshops instead of life skills workshops it’s because I deliver strategies that can be used in a variety of life situations.  Admit it…when you hear life skills your first

When I posed the question “what was on your wall” did you think I was referring to your Facebook wall?  Well, I’m not.  I need you to think further back into your history.    I have been a New Edition fan since 1983.  My bedroom wall was FULL of New Edition posters, pictures, and articles –

There have been times when a teenager has shocked you, frustrated you, disappointed you, or angered you — a child or foster child, a relative, a neighbor, or a client on your caseload.  It’s OK to admit it.  We’ve all been there.   As a teenager I was a huge LL Cool J fan.  A self-proclaimed

THANK YOU for supporting The Teen Toolbox and for reading our blog.  Through our Packaged For Success™ programs, we utilize youth portfolio development, academic empowerment, and civic engagement to help youth set goals for life after high school and create a road map to reach those goals. We are also strongly committed to supporting youth

As I Grow ~ Author Unknown   As I grow, please understand that I am growing up and changing very fast.  It must be difficult to keep pace with me, but please try.   As I grow, listen to me and give me brief, clear answers to my questions.  Then I will keep sharing my

America, The Beautiful (by Katharine Lee Bates – 1913)   *Today we honor the victims and families of the September 11th attacks.*   O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood From

While eating fruit with my lunch today I realized that my dream home includes an apple tree and a grape vine.  My apple tree insight brought to mind one of my favorite movies of all time – Baby Boom.   In 1987, Diane Keaton played a driven career woman working in a Manhattan marketing/advertising agency.  She