TOPS Helps Teens Help Each Other, Community

Sometimes a young person just needs a little encouragement, a little help redirecting focus. That process has a special value when the encouragement comes from peers.

The Teen Outreach Program is designed for youth sixth grade through seniors to encourage each other and to have a positive impact on the community.

“At TOP (Teen Outreach Program), we believe every youth has potential, regardless of circumstances,” said program facilitator Lorilei Stark.

Stark said she is less a manager and more a guide or facilitator to make sure it stays within guidelines. It is a peer-managed community service-based program that encourages young people through the challenges of their growing-up years while also encouraging them to have a positive impact on the community.

“It is something to get involved with in the community,” she said. It is their choice. It is youth lead. It is not another person telling them what to do.”

Stark said this is her second year with the program. In the first year, the students held a fundraiser yard sale with proceeds going toward the PAWS program.

The program meets 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday afternoons in the Sidney Middle School media room. She said the program can be compared to mentoring, except the students are mentoring each other. This year, the program is based on curriculum that will have students addressing issues such as learning about themselves, what they should and shouldn’t post on social media sites, and connecting with others. She stresses the depth of content varies with the age group. The meetings are defined as a “safe space.” What is said in TOPs, stays in TOPs, she said.

“It is a nonjudgmental place where they can share anything,” Stark said.

This year’s program started Aug. 21. However, Stark said new students are always welcome. Students do need a parents permission to participate, but they can visit one session.

“They can come in anytime,” she said.

The program is designed to help youth encourage each other, and to be involved in their community. She recalls one student, a 14-year-old girl, as someone who displays what the program can do.

“She’s almost my right hand. She’s only 14 years old, but I can really see her going somewhere. Stark describes her as kind of shy, except when she arrives at the meetings.

“You can really see the leadership in her shine,” she said.

For more information, contact Stark at 254-5856.