Scotlan Center has provided comprehensive services for the at-risk populations of West Oakland and Oakland at large for more than 35 years. Scotlan currently offers primarily youth-focused programs. In total, Scotlan Center serves more than 1200 at risk youth and their families per year and is strongly and deeply immersed in the target populations. They have worked with homeless, runaway, foster care, re-entering (formerly incarcerated), dropped out and otherwise high-risk youth populations for more than 35 years. All Scotlan’s programs are free of charge and serve only these targeted, low-income, under-served populations.
Elder Matthew A. Graves, Jr., Executive Director of Alameda County Youth Development says:
I was inspired to learn TIR from the evidence-based listing from SAMHSA [the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration]. I needed an innovative approach to reach the unique ongoing traumatic incidences that are experienced in our community. I grew up as a foster kid and understand how important it is to be heard. To know that “somebody knows your name” and cares about what you really feel. Emotions and traumas were often suppressed in my life as a survival mechanism so I would not be seen as difficult or a problem child. The training has further helped me to resolve some of the suppressed issues that can be triggered in adult realities. I want to pass on these much needed Applied Metapsychology techniques to staff and others to increase service delivery effectiveness. Making a safe place and having empathy and kindness is critical to enabling communication with these troubled teens and young adults.
Read the full interview with Elder Matthew A. Graves on the Applied Metapsychology International site.