211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast has received $27,500 from The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties for second year funding of 211's "Teen Awareness Project." The Teen Awareness Project will continue to address identified needs of teenagers in Palm Beach and Martin Counties as well as use new and innovative ways to encourage them to contact 211 when they are experiencing difficulties or simply need someone to talk to.

Teen years can often be a confusing and overwhelming time in an individual's life. Relationship problems, drug concerns, getting into college, having problems at home, or simply feeling left out are only a few of the many concerns teens are facing these days. In fact, 4,316 teenagers took their life in the United States in 2004, making suicide the third leading cause of death of individuals aged 15-24 years of age (American Association of Suicidology).

As alarming as these statistics are, they are true indicators that teens need extra support. Therefore, the Community Foundation grant will help fund an intensive cross media marketing campaign integrated with ongoing community outreach efforts that utilize current staff, which will allow area teens to become more familiar with services 211 provides. "This increase in public awareness will also serve to promote 211 as a tremendous resource for parents, teachers, guidance counselors, and other professionals working to empower and support adolescent youth" says Director of Community Relations, Rhonda Throop.

Services offered to teens by 211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast include, the 24 hour Teen Hotline (dial 2-1-1), AOL Instant Messenger, a 211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast MySpace Page, a teen website, and the Youth Yellow Pages Resource Guide. AOL Instant Messenger can be accessed by logging onto www.aim.com and using the screen name, TEEN211PBTC1, from the hours of 3-11pm, 7 days a week. Teens can visit the 211 MySpace page at www.myspace.com/teen211pbtc1 or the teen website at www.teen211pbtc1.org.

Having received over 155,000 calls in 2007 and with access to more than 4,000 programs, 211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast provides information and referrals to health and human service programs, crisis counseling, suicide prevention, and community education services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information on the vast array of programs and services that are available to assist individuals in the community or how you can help, dial 2-1-1 or visit the website at www.211treasurecoast.org.

Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties was founded in 1972 by and for the people in a local area. Benefiting communities "today, tomorrow and forever," the foundation's mission is to enhance the quality of life for all residents, now and for future generations, to build permanent endowments, to address needs through grantmaking, and to provide community leadership. "Since inception, it has awarded approximately $50 million to the community in the areas of Arts and Culture, Community Initiatives, Community/Economic Development, Education, Environment, Health and Human Services, Human and Race Relations and Intergenerational Programs." To learn more about Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, please visit www.cfpbmc.org.