By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Northborough – Helping troubled teenagers in crisis, struggling with substance abuse and other emotional issues, is the dedicated mission of Saving Teens in Crisis Collaborative, a nonprofit organization formed in 2004. Working with those affected and their families, their goal is to provide a total solution with a methodology that incorporates both financial and emotional support throughout a 12- to 24-month process of evaluation, intervention and education.
Lynn Firth of Northborough, director of operations, joined the group in 2011.
“I was completely impressed with Saving Teens and our founder, John Reuben,” she said. “My admiration continues to grow as our dedicated volunteers and professionals desperately try to help struggling kids get the help they need, regardless of their income. We do not simply give the family a check, we support both the child and the family during the entire difficult and expensive path to recovery.”
Firth, Carrie Weatherhead, director of development, and volunteer parents who make up the board of directors and advisory board reflect the varied disciplines needed to help restore suffering teens to a happy, healthy life.
Savings Teens works with health organizations, educational consultants, wilderness programs, boarding schools, rehabilitation centers and educational lawyers to fund and support families with financial limitations as they complete the comprehensive therapeutic programs that they desperately need, but may not be able to afford.
“I can’t even explain how grateful I am that we are a Saving Teens family,” expressed one mother. “After years of unproductive family and personal therapy, increasing violence and then nearly weekly visits from the police to come calm my son down, I ran out of hope. Finding Saving Teens has given me hope again and I look forward to visits with my son who is once again happy.”
Another appreciative mother stated, “With the financial assistance and the emotional support you gave my son, B., he is able to complete the 12-month residential program. Without Saving Teens, my son would have not received help with his substance abuse, lack of motivation, his poor academics and low self-esteem. I know that B. is going to beat his addiction and grow up to be a responsible young man because of your help.”
Firth’s more than 25 years of volunteering with charitable organizations in the Northborough area provided her with the insight needed to understand the plight of many teens and their families.
“My husband Neal and I have been volunteers in our church and I have been a member of the Northborough Junior Woman’s Club for over 25 years,” she said. “My two grown children grew up volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and several ‘junior’ community service projects. We all believe we have been quite fortunate in life and should give back to the community.”
For more information, visit savingteens.org.