We want to open this newsletter on a high note! The City of Santa Clarita put on an evening event entitled "Teen Scene Unplugged" - Helping Parents and Teens Survive the Teenage Years!

As many evening programs as I have done for parents and communities all across the US, I know how tough it is to get parents out to anything about their teens. The City of Santa Clarita, under the coordination and hard work of Community Services Analyst Tess Simgen and collaboration of the Mayor's Blue Ribbon Task Force, rallied over 700 parents and teens to the evening event held at the Hyatt Convention Center.

I was touched by the empathy of parents and the engrossed and illumined expressions on teen faces as I presented LEGACY OF HOPE, followed by a brief DE-STRESS FOR SUCCESS with tools to improve parent-teen communication. I was impressed by the concern of City Manager Ken Pulscamp on teen issues. And I was deeply moved by the stories shared with me following the programs, especially those of two pre-teen girls who eagerly sought relief from the grief and anger of abandonment by alcoholic, addicted dads. Helping young people find hope, understanding, loving detachment and acceptance that unhealthy adult choices are NOT their faults . . . that's heartwarming!

Be back to you in October with news from travels to Morgantown, West Virginia and Sioux Falls, South Dakota!
Check out photos from 'Teen Scene Unplugged'

For instance, mothers who smoked during pregnancy, began having children at a young age, or had behavioral problems as youngsters were more likely to have a child who had a tendency to hit, kick, bite, or bully others.
In additions, mothers who frequently lost their tempers were more likely to have babies who showed physical aggression before the age of 4. Babies born into dysfunctional families also showed aggressive behavior at an early age.

The study concludes that genetics, parents’ past behavior, and environmental all “affect the development of the brain and its capacity to regulate emotions, especially reactions to anger.”

It also noted that at-risk children need interventions in their preschool years to help them control physical aggression. One interventions recommended in the report was home visits from nurses.

- From Reuters

LEGACY offers stress management workshops and seminars to reach pregnant teens and adults, helping them manage the stressors that cause smoking and aggression.
Learn more about De-Stress for Success

Organizers of the event said 300 replica guns were steamrolled as a statement to pressure government officials to signs a treaty aimed at curbing the small-arms trade.

According to figures from the Gun Control Network, there are an estimated 640 million guns in circulation globally, which translates to one gun for every 10 people in the world. “To continue adding more to that mass of weapons is just lunacy,” said Gun Control Network member Nick North.

- From the BBC

“Gunshot wounds are the second leading cause of death among teenagers,” said Senator Jack Scott, sponsor of the bill. “We warn them about the dangers of drugs and alcohol and unprotected sex. It just makes sense that we teach them about the dangers of gun violence.”

-From the Pasadena Star-News

Alcohol and gun violence are a highly volatile combination for both youth and adults. The LEGACY OF HOPE assembly makes this lethal connection clear to youth. Consider a LEGACY OF HOPE presentation for your schools violence awareness efforts.

A federal bill introduced by Democratic Representative Joe Baca of California that would fine retailers who rent or sell games with violent, sexual, or other “harmful” content to minors is currently under consideration in the U.S House of Representatives Judiciary Committee.

Video game makers argue that such laws violate the right to free speech. They also point out that the industry’s self-imposed rating system provides detailed descriptions of violence in a game and labels titles as “mature” or “adults only.” They said it’s up to the parents to monitor what their children are playing.

-From the Associated Press

Help parents feel more empowered to guide their children with confidence.
For Tips from Susie on Communicating With Your Teen, click Here

“The violent crime in Greenville is terrible, worse even than in New York City,” said Leroy Hyman, a native North Carolinian who lived for years in the Bronx before retiring in Greenville. “There’s a lot of killing in this place.”

Also, please forward this newsletter to friends, colleagues, parents, and others who might find this information useful. Help us carry our message of hope and healing.

If you are receiving this newsletter forwarded from a colleague or friend, and would like to continue to receive it, please email us at
legacyofhopenews@aol.com with subject subscribe.

Wishing you well,
All of us at LEGACY
Susie Vanderlip - Ken Vanderlip - Veronica Garcia - Samantha Cessna
800-707-1977
Susie@legacyofhope.com