Smart Start/Teen Talk Family Violence Prevention Program

A Haven of Caring and Concern for At-Risk Families

The Smart Start Program is designed to educate and empower youth in need of family violence intervention. The goal is to improve decision making through life skills workshops, community service projects, field trips, and after care counseling. Smart Start provides a 13-week curriculum that meets once a week for two hours, with each youth receiving 53 hours of service per cycle.

Teen Talk is a comprehensive sexual and reproductive health course that covers a variety of age appropriate topics supporting teen pregnancy prevention. Teen Talk is an 8-session course offered at various school sites in groups typically 20 -35 students.

To find out more about this program please call (408) 294-0050

Jose Ramos is 16 years old and a participant in Alum Rock Counseling Center’s Smart Start program. The Smart Start Family Violence Prevention Program is an eight-week educational seminar for at-risk, low-income youth. The program serves minors who have been victims or perpetrators of family violence, providing them the skills necessary to break the cycle of violence through education. Topics include anger management, peer pressure, domestic violence and pregnancy prevention. Jose was referred to ARCC by San Jose Community School. A very charismatic and bright kid, Jose has lived a tough life for his young age and has been exposed to some very unfortunate circumstances. Jose successfully completed the Smart Start program; he now lives with his grandmother and is doing very well. He attends school at Willow Glen High and is currently on a football team through Gardner Mental Health.

“This young man has a bright outlook on life and dreams of becoming a successful businessman. With his charismatic nature and strong will, he encompasses all of the traits needed to become a successful citizen,” states Carmen Gil, Smart Start/Teen Talk Coordinator, Alum Rock Counseling Center.

A gifted writer and future leader, Jose wrote the following poem…

I was born November 15^th 1991

A Scorpio who didn’t know his life ain’t gonna be an easy one

Never full of fun and games only full of tons of pain

And going thru that as a child messes wit ya brain

You would never be the same if you been thru what I’ve lived

Seen my mother taken advantage of cuz she had so much to give

Divorced twice with two kids restraining order on my father

And since he had to pay to see me he would never bother

But he could have at least called with me going through all I was

But I guess after all he forgot I was half his blood

When my mother found a new man this one was the worst

Cuz he didn’t have to try that hard to get inside her purse

He never wanted love only thing he wants is to use her

And it’s so easy since he made her a daily meth abuser

She would never be home maybe stay once a week

But would be sleepin’ all day cuz she’s coming down from the tweak

When she woke up took a shower then she always left

Only cared for getting high didn’t give a darn about the rest

Since my mom was always gone my grandma took the role of my mother

My brother was my father and the homies were my brothers

I was just another sad story made by the streets

Who was mainly concerned of knowing where my mother could be

But in my face she would lie while she looked into my eyes

When they were still watery from all the nights that I cried

Myself to sleep cuz I couldn’t help but think

If I was gonna see her tomorrow or maybe next week

I thank God I had some family that was always there for me

Cuz they’re the only ones who broke the thoughts nobody cared for me

All thru elementary this is the life I was livin’

So I would appreciate the few good things that I was given

Friends till the end do all they can to help me out

Always give a helping hand cuz they knew my momma was doped out

Smart Start/Teen Talk Family Violence Prevention Program

A Haven of Caring and Concern for At-Risk Families

To find out more about this program please call (408) 294-0050

- Jose Ramos