A free course at Central City YMCA teaches teens and parents how to think before they act to make better choices.
By STEFANIE GREEN
Published May 14, 2004
Karen Campbell and her 15-year-old daughter Kelsey have a hard time getting along. They butt heads and often disagree.
"We have our issues," said Campbell, 43, who lives in Lutz.
So, six weeks ago Campbell signed them up for a new program in Tampa that teaches teens and parents to become better thinkers and make more appropriate choices.
Creating a Responsible Thinker, known as CART, is a free, six-week program offered at the Central City YMCA by Tampa Crossroads, a nonprofit organization through the city of Tampa that offers a variety of outreach programs. The course was designed as a treatment program for teenage offenders but expanded to include parents who wanted to help their children avoid getting into trouble.
"All teens have a difficult time and going to CART when conflicts are little is a good place to start," Campbell said. "Plus, it helps us parents."
CART project coordinator Ann Kramer, a licensed mental health counselor, developed the program's Life Puzzle model. It teaches participants parenting skills and how to think critically and control feelings.
"It is like a puzzle. We want to make sure that the edges of the puzzle are set down first, because without the edges of the puzzle, pieces would fall out," Kramer said. "If that happens, a teen can be influenced by their peers, or their attitudes could change."
CART is funded by a $20,000 research grant from the Eckerd Family Foundation.
Participants come from all over Hillsborough County, Kramer said. The sessions are limited to 10 teens and 10 to 13 parents. One or both parents of a teen participant can attend. Everyone receives two books: Life Puzzle: Putting the Pieces Together and Life Puzzle for Teens.
Campbell and her daughter say the program has helped them think more before they act.
"We all can work on things and improve ourselves," Campbell said. "CART ... helps makes you a better person."
The next sessions start Tuesday and Wednesday and last for six weeks. Each weekly class runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the YMCA, 110 E Palm Ave. Registration ends Wednesday. For information, call Kramer at 765-4051 or e-mail her at Ann@Tampacrossroads.com
