The Teen Outreach Program (TOP) is a national program tailored and implemented at the local level. The premise underlying the program is that problem behaviors among adolescents have common roots and require a comprehensive approach. Therefore, TOP aims at both preventing teen pregnancy and helping young people make consistent progress in school. TOP was first developed as a project of the Junior League of St. Louis and was adapted as a national project of the Association of Junior Leagues International. The program is now managed by the Cornerstone Consulting Group of Houston, Texas

Oasis Center developed the International Teen Outreach Program (ITOP) to serve the increasing numbers of international youth in the Metro schools aiming at both preventing teen pregnancy and improving school performance through a strong youth development approach. The program is set up in Metro schools on a voluntary basis. It is funded and supported by United Way. Students sign up in at the beginning of each school year and are placed into groups with diverse ages, genders, and cultures. Groups meet weekly on a rotating basis with faculty permission. Students only attend group if their teacher approves and only miss each class twice during a nine-week period. In addition to school based groups, service learning projects are offered after school. Each student is responsible for a minimum of four projects during the school year.

Jenn Garcia is the coordinator of Hillsboro’s ITOP and can be reached at 327-4455 or jgarcia@oasiscenter.org. Mrs. Garcia graduated from the University of Kansas in 1998 with a B.S. in Community Health Education. She coordinates the Oasis Center’s International Teen Outreach Program (ITOP) at Hillsboro High and Cameron Middle Schools. Mrs. Garcia is also the Hillsboro Cheerleading Coach.  ITOP, Portable 176