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Teen Resource Center

Welcome to the Teen Resource Center

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Welcome to the Teen Resource Center
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The Sequoia Teen Resource Center was opened in September 2004. The Center serves the Sequoia High School student population and their families. It is a collaborative effort between Sequoia Union High School District, Redwood City Together, StarVista, Mission Be, Second Harvest Food Bank, Acknowledge Alliance, Notre Dame de Namur AmeriCorps and Sequoia Teen Wellness Center.
 
Mission

The Sequoia Teen Resource Center provides free confidential counseling, and youth development services to help students increase their academic performance, improve behavior and personal relationships, make positive decisions and set future goals. The Center teaches youth skills and provides them with opportunities to make changes in their personal lives, families, school, and community.

The Center is open 8:30 am to 5:00 pm and is located next to the Health Office at Sequoia High School. For further information about our services and programs contact Judy Romero, Director and Mental Health Specialist at (650) 367-9780 x60065.

The Center partners with Sequoia Teen Wellness Center located at 200 James Avenue at the entrance of the James Ave parking lot. The Wellness Center is a satellite clinic of San Mateo Medical Center and provides health care services to youth 12-25 years of age. If you would like further information about the Wellness Center, please contact (650) 366-2927.
Free Services and Programs

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Free Services and Programs
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  • Counseling
  • Youth Development Programs
  • Mentor Program
  • Mindfulness
  • Health Education
  • Parent workshops
  • Community Circles
 
Counseling

The Sequoia Teen Resource Center provides free crisis, individual, and group counseling. Students can self-refer or are referred by parents/guardians, school counselors, teachers or other school staff. A referral form is required to be filled out. Counseling is provided on a voluntary basis. Students are not required to participate.

 

Parent Workshops

In collaboration with the Family Resource Center, the Sequoia Teen Resource Center provides parent workshops on topics of interest to parents/guardians. Center staff facilitates or recruits individuals and/or agencies in the community to facilitate workshops.

 

Youth Development Programs

In collaboration with StarVista, the Sequoia Teen Resource Center is able to offer the following Youth Leadership Programs:
  • Youth Advisory Board
  • Wellness Peer Advocates
  • Leadership and Resiliency Program
 

Health Education

  • Health Resource Fair- Community agencies are invited to share resources and information to students. Youth groups are also involved.
  • Health & Wellness Conference- Community partners, District & school staff, and students provide workshops on relevant teen issues.
  • School-wide outreach efforts focused on health and wellness issues.
  • Guest Speakers are scheduled for class presentations
  • Youth Advisory Board members participate on city, county and school district committees focused on health and wellness.
 

Mentor Program

  • Notre Dame de Namur AmeriCorps members mentor and tutor a selected group of students. 
     
Mindfulness
  • In collaboration with Mission Be, Sequoia Teen Resource Center provides training for teachers interested in integrating mindfulness in their classrooms.
  • Mission Be also provides training for students to become Mindfulness Ambassadors
  • Mindfulness practice for students on Fridays during Flextime. Sign up as Flextime option.
 
Community Circles
  • Support building community
Youth Leadership Programs

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Youth Leadership Programs
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Our Youth Leadership Programs are all weekly after school or lunch time programs run by the StarVista Youth Development Initiative.

 

Youth Advisory Board

Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is the student voice for the Center. Each year, Youth Advisory Board members conduct a needs assessment survey to find out what our students feel are the biggest issues on campus and in our community. Based on the needs assessment findings YAB then creates projects and campaigns to address and raise awareness about those issues. Youth Advisory Board members also represent the Sequoia Teen Resource Center on district, city and county committees such as the School District's Wellness Advisory Committee. In addition, Youth Advisory Board members provide outreach for both the Sequoia Teen Resource Center and Sequoia Teen Wellness Center.

 

Wellness Peer Advocates

Wellness Peer Advocates youth leadership program seeks to empower Sequoia students to take action in supporting the health and wellness of their peers. Members have the opportunity to participate in training and conversations about healthy relationships, mental health, conflict resolution skills, nutrition, and more. The focus of the group is on the whole well-being of students- physical, mental and social emotional. Wellness Peer Advocates will raise awareness and promote wellness. Possible opportunities to mediate conflicts among peers.

 

Leadership and Resiliency Program (LRP)

The Leadership and Resiliency Program has three main components which all work to help it's members build healthy relationships, expand their personal competencies and goal setting skills. LRP mostly targets 9th graders. The three main components are weekly Resiliency Group, and opportunities to participate in Community Service and Adventure Activity trips. Resiliency Group will happen at lunch and consist of various activities and discussions. Community Service and Adventure Activity trips will take place after school and occasionally on weekends where students will get to assume a positive role in the community and experience opportunities to gain leadership skills.

 

For more information about the Youth Advisory Board, Wellness Peer Advocates, or Leadership and Resiliency Program (LRP), please contact Samuel Reynaga at the Teen Resource Center  (650) 367-9780 x60067

Staff Roster

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Staff Roster
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For general questions, please contact Judy Romero. You can also send a fax to (650) 839-8988. We look forward to your questions.

 
Mental Health Specialist
Director, Sequoia Teen Resource Center
Ext. 60065
 
Howard, Rebekah
Wellness Therapist, Mental Health Specialist
Ext. 65365
rhoward@seq.org

Reynaga, Samuel
Youth Development Coordinator
Ext. 60067
Samuel.Reynaga@Star-Vista.org
 
 
Counseling Trainee and Internship Opportunities

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Counseling Trainee and Internship Opportunities
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Sequoia Teen Resource Center provides opportunities for Marriage and Family Therapy graduate students to do their trainee practicum and post graduates to do their internship at the Center.

 

MFT Associates and trainees receive weekly individual clinical supervision. The Sequoia Teen Resource Center provides a friendly, safe, team oriented, learning environment. MFT Associates and trainees must be finger printed and have a recent TB test.

For further information, please contact Judy Romero, LMFT at (650) 367-9780 x60065 or email jromero@seq.org.

Community Resources

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Community Resources
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San Mateo County Connect: Community Services in San Mateo County
 
StarVista Crisis Hotline- 24-Hour Telephone & Online Support
(650) 579-0350
(800) 273-8255
 
Crisis Text Line 
Text HOME 41741 for FREE 24/7 support
 
Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA)
Provides crisis intervention, counseling and civil legal services for victims of domestic violence.
(800) 300-1080
 
Rape Trauma Services
Provides 24 hour crisis counseling, advocacy and accompaniment for survivors of sexual assault.
(650)  692-7273 Crisis Line
(650) 652-0598 office
 
Fair Oaks Community Center
(650) 780-7500
 
Second Harvest Food Bank Food Connection Hotline
Provides multi-lingual referrals to free food pantries/groceries and soup kitchens. Provides CalFresh application assistance.
(800) 984-3663
 
Outlet-Adolescent Counseling Services
Provide counseling, peer support groups, and social events for LGBTQ youth.
(650) 424-0852 x107
 
Kara
Offers emotional support and information to adults, teens, and children who are grieving a death or coping with a life threatening illness.
(650) 321-5272
 
The Parent Education Series: http://www.seq.org/ParentEducationSeries
Parent Education Newsletter: http://bit.ly/ParentEdNewsletter
 
Boys and Girls Club-Peninsula