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Outervention
San Francisco, California
Erica Cicero M.S.W., Executive Director
415-876-0099
www.outervention.org
Outervention is a non-profit organization offering comprehensive programs to strengthen relationships between adolescent girls and their parents. They use challenging and nurturing wilderness experiences and extensive follow-up programs as vehicles for girls to become strong, confident, and independent young women. Parents participate in the programs to support their daughters in the development of their individual voices.
Outdoor adventure activities are used as supportive environments and cater to the unique learning styles and needs of girls. Wilderness activities vary from summer to winter and include backpacking, rock climbing, sea kayaking, mountain biking, and ropes courses.
Upon returning home, the teens will need support and guidance as they learn to make choices based on their new ways of thinking. Follow-up programs include individual and shared support groups with fellow teens and with parents, time with peer mentors, community service activities, and seminars on communication skills and conflict mediation.
Working with parents is the key component of the Outervention program. Coaching parents on how to communicate better with their daughters and encouraging them to share experiences strengthens their relationship, which helps parents to support and participate in the lives of their daughters.
Outervention uses students from local colleges, who have been trained in peer counseling, conflict mediation, teen issues and wilderness skills. These peer educators will act as guides on the wilderness trips and become mentors for participants in follow-up programs. Outervention’s staff has degrees in psychology or social work. The founder, Erica Cicero, M.S.W., has had extensive experience working with adolescents, and has started numerous award winning programs for high schools and middle schools, including programs for at-risk teens and peer programs. Outervention also offers summer and “custom” programs which can accommodate a group, organization, or family by customizing its comprehensive program.
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