We all know what loneliness feels like – how heavy and isolating it can be not to have our community, to feel like we don’t belong. This can be particularly challenging as a young person, especially when faced with additional barriers around mental health, finances, or even transportation. On a national level, rates of reported loneliness and anxiety among teens and young adults continue to increase, and this group experiences one of the highest rates of suicidality among all demographics.
WellPower’s Emerson St. for Teens & Young Adults program is tackling this urgent trend head-on by offering a place where young people can build relationships, cultivate a sense of belonging and grow into adulthood in a supportive environment. Foundational to these services is Prevention Programming available to all youth in the community ages 15 – 26.
We sat down with three members of the Emerson St. team – Rebecca Schick, LCSW, assistant program manager; Sarah Shipman, MA, prevention specialist; and Brittany Critchfield, BS, CAS, CPRP, prevention specialist – for an insider’s view into this meaningful aspect of the program.
When “Life Is Just ‘Life-ing’”
The benefit of simply having this space is hard to overstate. Shipman explained, “They come in to talk about when life is just ‘life-ing,’ to celebrate their joys, to get support when it’s not going well. We can offer a space and people to support them.”
In addition to therapy and clinical groups, Emerson St. offers an enviable array of social groups, activities and off-site experiences, all informed by what the young people themselves want to do. Here are some of the most active groups going on right now (and there are others):
- Art Studio
- Switch it Up! Nintendo Switch Group
- Bingo & Ice Cream
- Denver Thrifting Tour
- Monopoly Marathon & Cookie Decorating
- Now You’re Cooking – Lasagna Soup, Corn Bread Jalapeno Poppers
- Movie Group
Connecting through activities can be an effective way to help young people build relationships around shared interests. They can also work on interpersonal and problem-solving skills in a supportive environment – how to navigate disagreements about the rules of a game, how to handle the feelings that come with losing, how to figure out answers to questions together.
And when it’s time to go “off-campus” into the wide world of horseback riding, live theatre and international cuisine? That’s where excursions come in.
Building Skills and Memories through Excursions
On their recent Fall Retreat, the Emerson St. young people traveled up to Estes Park to tour the infamous Stanley Hotel, which served as the inspiration for Stephen King’s The Shining as well as one of the locations for Stanley Kubrick’s haunting film adaptation.
They gathered their courage as they hurdled down the Mustang Mountain Coaster, and learned how to care for – and, yes, even ride – horses at Sombrero Stables. Another outing saw a group heading downtown to see the musical Wicked, which was only a dream for one of the participants before they actually got to go.
As for crafts, a group traveled to “Tuft Love” to learn how to make rugs. The young people loved the activity as well as the positive impact – a portion of the proceeds go to survivors of gender-based violence in South Africa.
These excursions are a way for young people to learn how to be adventurous and to navigate new and uncertain experiences with confidence. For example, trying a new dish at a restaurant: “Some of our young people have such significant social anxiety that getting the courage to talk to the server is huge,” Schick explained. “Or if a credit card gets declined, they get to see our staff model how to navigate those situations.”
Emerson St. covers the cost of these activities, thus removing a common barrier for young people who would otherwise not be able to join in. “One young person was so excited to go to Wicked, saying, ‘I’ve always wanted to go to live theater but it’s so expensive!’” Shipman shared.
Are Groups and Excursions Actually Valuable?
Emerson St.’s groups and excursions have a lasting impact on the young people they serve. “We have a person who’s just about ready to graduate and she knows, ‘I’m ready to graduate, I’m ready to be an adult and move onto the next step of my life,’” Critchfield shared.
“We’ve known some young people graduate high school, college, and getting their first ‘adulting job.’ The fact that they can come into a space that’s been there consistently there for them is invaluable,” said Shipman. “We’ve had several people graduate from the program and then bring their younger siblings.”
What about from a therapeutic perspective? Emerson St. staff work closely with each participant’s treatment team to build a complete picture of how the young people are progressing. They can offer “real-world” information about the successes and challenges the young people are experiencing – for example, if someone has a hard time during an event or outing, that can be key for their therapist in helping them work through a roadblock.
“Even just having this as something therapists can offer is huge,” said Critchfield. “Being able to just pop in and see different groups is really unique.”
Wondering How You Can Support This Work? Here’s one simple way
Offering such a highly effective and meaningful program takes resources, particularly when it involves removing financial barriers for the young people by covering costs.
As it relates to the groups and outings at Emerson St., Schick put it plainly: “I’m very grateful we’re able to cover it as an organization, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t expensive. [Under the new state funding model] there’s less money to cover things. These services are wonderful and amazing and we need continued commitments to allow them to continue.”
You can help the people we serve – not only the young people in Emerson St. but remarkable people across the lifespan – experience a sense of belonging and build lasting skills with your gift for Colorado Gives Day.
And because it’s for Colorado Gives Day your gift will unlock more matching funds, increasing the impact of your support for even more people.
A final thought
What do the young people at Emerson St. think about the program? All you need to do is ask: “I’m here to grow and learn and have these experiences, but each person you interact with at Emerson gives such growth – all these small moments and bonds I’ve created with these people. It’s truly spectacular that you’re able to build something so special and meaningful…You see potential in me when I do not. You’re the best coaches I’ve ever had.”
