AGENCY THAT AIDS TEENS FINDS ITSELF IN TROUBLE

Cash Crunch Puts Nonprofit At Risk

YouthTruth of Slidell seeks the truth from troubled teens through therapy
and education so the teens can be empowered and overcome adversity.

But the truth is, the free services the organization offers will soon end
if financing is not replenished.

YouthTruth is a nonprofit organization established in 2002 that serves the
needs of at-risk youths ages 11 to 17 in the Slidell area. Licensed
clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors and certified
recreation therapists provide individual, group and family therapy,
including outpatient substance abuse treatment, to youths who desire the
services and to those mandated by the courts. A certified teacher is
available for tutoring.

In August 2002 the organization was awarded a grant from the state
Department of Social Services for teenage pregnancy prevention. The
$200,000 grant was from the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families fund.
The grant was to be renewable for a second year, but according to
YouthTruth clinical director Randy Weaver, the funds were moved to the
Department of Education and have not been available since September 2003.

"It threw us for a loop," Weaver said. "We've been applying for grants from
private foundations, corporations, government entities. So far we haven't
had any luck with that."

"We're paying the rent out of our pockets," he said of himself and
executive director Christopher Russell.

Weaver said YouthTruth would have held fund-raisers and sought donations
had it been known that financial aid would end. He is hoping YouthTruth
will receive a federal grant for teen pregnancy prevention from the
Department of Health and Hospitals in July. "We continue to apply for
grants. We're hoping to hear back soon," said Weaver.

"They need help. This is something in the community that is so needed,"
said Joan Dilkey, guidance counselor at Salmen High School in Slidell.
Dilkey said she often refers her students to YouthTruth. "For kids who are
trying to stay on the straight and narrow, they have support groups. I'm so
glad to have this for our community."

Weaver said he wants to see the facility stay open because many of the
troubled youths they see would not otherwise get treatment. "The people
that need it the most are the ones who don't have the money to pay for such
services," he said.

YouthTruth is accepting community donations. Clinical social workers and
certified therapists also are needed to volunteer their services a few
hours a week. To donate or to volunteer, call 639-8040. YouthTruth is at
1000 Caruso Blvd., suite 261.

Weaver said the organization targets youths with behavioral problems,
substance abuse and delinquency. He said the group seeks to reduce juvenile
offenses, teen drug use, anger problems, teenage pregnancies and other
adolescent struggles through the use of therapy in a "teen-friendly"
environment.

"To break some of the resistance kids come in with, we shoot a game of
pool," Weaver said.

The primary activity of YouthTruth is an after-school enrichment program
called Youth Solutions. The program offers an appealing atmosphere with
activities such as billiards, foosball, pingpong, table games, arts and
crafts, music, basketball and volleyball at a 6,000-square-foot facility at
the Slidell Factory Outlets. Officers with the Slidell Police Department
often are on hand to join in the games.

During such activities situations arise for conflict resolution, problem
solving, anger management and more for which counselors are on hand to
facilitate. Clients are routinely invited into small focus groups to
address their issues. Through therapy, educational assistance, experiential
and recreational therapies, drug counseling and community policing,
YouthTruth helps teens to peacefully and lawfully exist in the community.

YouthTruth offers a weekly parenting class to help facilitate healthy
communication skills and offer parents tips on setting boundaries and
discipline techniques for their children.

The organization also offers an outpatient substance abuse program focusing
on complete abstinence from mood-altering chemicals.

Sex education also is discussed. "Our message had to be and was
consistently abstinence," Weaver said.

This summer, YouthTruth is offering substance abuse treatment services to
25 teens who were sent from the juvenile drug courts.