Program Designed to Help Motivate Teenagers

SEQUATCHIE COUNTY, TN. (WRCB)– It’s not your ordinary boot camp! Troubled teens × Troubled Teens
Troubled Teens /trou.bled/ /teens/ n. Noun A troubled teen is defined as a person that is between the age 13-19 that is beset by problems or conflict. Every Teenager faces problems that they must encounter in their life.  Problems arise in every person’s life both big and small yet sometimes we allow even the most insignificant of problems affect our lives.  Sometimes with teenagers they allow trials in their life greatly affect them in negative ways.  Typically when a person (typically teenagers) face problems in their lives, the ability to cope with the problem does not exist.  When teenagers turn to other things to cope with the feelings of the problems that they usually face  things such as drugs and alcohol, pornography, criminal activity, etc. It is important to find help for troubled teens as soon as possible.  There are many different programs that are available to help troubled teens with the problems that they face each with a different approach and nature to the program.
 from across Tennessee are earning respect, and learning more about motivation × Motivation
/mo·ti·va·tion/ n.Noun Motivation is defined as the reason or reasons that initiates and guides someone to act, behave or strive to do something that in a particular way. Motivation can come from anywhere and usually consists of being something inspirational and often time’s goal oriented. In everyday living motivation is described as the reason someone does something.  It is what guides and leads us through our lives.  It determines why we act and behave towards activities. If we can find the right motivation in a way we have the ability to do whatever it is the motivation is directed towards. Motivation is determined by both internal and external factors that stimulate a certain desire and energy in a person. Motivation comes from: the intensity of a need or desire, the reward or incentive of an action, and also can come from the expectations a person has on their self or from those that surround them.
.

The Children’s Attitude Motivational Program hosted by the Army National Guard is literally changing many teens’ lives.

Parents and instructors say they have seen a dramatic difference in the teens’ behavior in only a few weeks.

Justice Evans uses all of her strength to get her final push ups in a competition against other students who have pushed the law to the limits. 

“I was being unruly to my parents and stuff and not doing what I was suppose to be doing like a normal kid,” says Justice Evans

These kids have all been in the juvenile system in counties throughout Tennessee.

“I got charged with underage possession and they sent me here to clear my record,” says Brandon Shrum.

“It is heart breaking to see somebody especially a young person with so much potential going down the wrong road,” says Judge Andy Myrick.

But with the help of the Army National Guard, their lives are turning around.

“We help them with drug awareness, self esteem, building respect and basically just give them the keys they need to make better decision,” says Youth Services Officer Kim Dean.

Beginning to end, they go through an eight week boot camp.

This competition was to see who is the best at physical fitness.

Thanks to the program, Deborah Grant says she has seen a difference in her son T.J.

“He has been more polite. He has done things around the house that we asked him,” says Grant.

And while the changes are still in progress, the teens say they are glad they went through the program.

These programs are made possible through county funds.  Next year a grant will pay for the program.  Bledsoe County won today’s program by 2 points.