Parents/Guardians

Education and youth support services invest in SEL (Social/Emotional learning) programs for peer empowerment and support as teens today struggle with an increasing number of challenges. 

MPOWRD creates positive peer to peer relationships while offering a safe and supportive community.  As trust and communication increase, their newly discovered bond creates a foundation of hope and resilience. 

There are many excellent websites for parent information and guidance, including the Partnership to End Addiction. One question facing parents is, “Once we have discovered that our child is having problems, either socially, behaviorally or emotionally, what do we do?”

MPOWRD is a resource that parents can trust for teen support.

MPOWRD addresses many issues that teens may have, in a safe and empowering format. If your teen wants to attend meetings, it is a positive choice. A teen is simply saying that there is hope for change, that life isn’t perfect, and that peer support is important. Most teens attend meetings because they need time to process some of life’s issues. MPOWRD is a proven program that teens created to ensure a safe and supportive environment. Enabling a teen to attend meetings can be a way to begin finding support for your child.

Important Information for Parents

1. MPOWRD describes addictive behaviors as any habits causing personal harm. They could range from smoking, to drinking/drugs, to poor attendance, to “putting oneself or others down,” to co-dependent relations, to always being negative, to “just wanting to feel better about life,” etc.
2. Teens insisted that they develop their own program, since adults hadn’t been able to create programs that were relative to what they needed.  Over 150 teens, during a five-year period, developed MPOWRD as a universal program for this generation.
3. MPOWRD offers its own steps for healing which are not part of the traditional 12 step program.
4. Teens chose NOT to discuss chemical use and abuse. They felt that disclosure of illegal substances and actions were simply “triggers,”  and were a waste of time. Teens chose not be defined by an action but instead, would focus on developing positive life skills while supporting each other.
5. Confidentiality is respected, unless a teen discloses that he/she is doing something illegal or indicates that he/she may hurt self or others. This rule is explained at the beginning of every meeting.
6. Meetings are always optional. They may be offered as a choice for addressing issues that are challenges for each individual.