MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Council on Substance Abuse (COSA) is gearing up to address many problems impacting Montgomery youth, such as substance misuse, truancy, juvenile violence, teen pregnancy, low academic performance, and family issues at its newly established TEEN Center.
COSA’s center will open on April 7, 2025, funded by a grant from the City of Montgomery. FREE programs and activities will promote positive youth growth and development, develop resiliency skills, increase parental involvement, and support healthy family engagement. Specific planned activities include, but are not limited to, tutoring sessions, mentoring groups, a Podcast hosted by teens, different classes (art, exercise, cooking, parent education, chess, music therapy), parent and teen parent education, and support groups, mental health and suicide prevention training, book club, movie nights, and family dinner nights. Adolescent alcohol and drug treatment and recovery support services are also scheduled to be provided at the center.
Shereda Finch, COSA’s executive director, states, “We are excited to create a safe space for teens where prevention activities are structured, educational, fun, and integrated with several life skills that can be transferred into adulthood. We are also happy to offer education programs and family support services to parents and guardians at the center.”
COSA is hosting an Open House on April 5 at the center located at 5946 Monticello Drive, Montgomery, AL 36117. Montgomery residents can tour the center and sign teens up for classes. A morning tour for faith-based leaders will be held from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m., and for the general public, tours will start at 10:00 a.m. Light refreshments will be provided during both times.
Subbmitted by COSA.
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