There is no cost to participate in the ALCC High School or Middle school groups. ALCC is a non profit 501 ( c) 3 organization and depends on donations to continue to provide dynamic life changing family programs. It is the policy of the ALCC that no family will ever be refused services due to lack of finances. We ask that you support this community service project.

ATTENTION PLEASE!

BOTH HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL GROUPS WILL RESUME IN JANUARY OF 2010

High School Groups (Ages 15-18)

For teens and their parents at the same location and same times. EVERY THURSDAY FROM 6:30pm to 8:00pm at the Juvenile Enforcement Center in Sanford. The focus of the groups is not on parents, siblings, friends or past events.  The groups are held in the “here and now” using reality and rational behavioral strategies which are widely used commonsense approaches. Drug use and experimentation as well as other risk-taking behaviors are explored.  Counselor’s emphasis is on establishing rapport with participants and teaching problem solving skills. Cognitive theory emphasizes our thoughts determine our emotions and behavior. These both are recognized for helping teens develop a success identity which involves the teen experiencing feelings of love and worth.  Success identity can only be measured in terms of how the participant views him/her self.  In contrast, adolescents with failure identity express their sense of failure by a) developing emotional and behavioral problems b) engaging rather extensively in delinquent or criminal activity or c) withdrawing.

We are committed to helping adolescents and parents create more successful and healthy relationships. Our strategies decrease suffering and increase positive choices through enhancing understanding of the adolescent’s unique strengths and challenges and providing, through group learning, specific strategies tailored to individual and family needs.

Middle School Groups

For teens and their parents at the same location and same times. EVERY THURSDAY FROM 7:00pm to 8:00pm at the Juvenile Enforcement Center in Sanford. Middle school years are a time of self analysis where the pre-teen seeks autonomy and a sense of belonging. These years can be confusing as communication patterns tend to take a turn.

It's not just the body that develops during puberty. The mind is growing too. And this emotional development affects relationships, all of them. Just as some friendships deepen whereas others end, the longstanding relationships with people like parents change too. Strong relationships depend heavily on keeping the lines of communication open. This group will focus on practicing how speak without offending and listen without defending. Topics discussed include; peer pressure , peer relationships, bullying, relational aggression, body image, self esteem, and family communication. 

The group is designed to help young adults learn how to manage and express their feelings in a healthy, productive manner while realizing that they are not alone in their experiences or their pain. The group provides a means to heal and grow and become a source of strength for others.Text for the middle school groups.