In October of 2005, when we opened the door of our office on New Hope Road, I had no idea how many doors would open for the Teen Action and Support Center.

When the first teen came through the door in 2005, I had no idea how many teens would come through the many doors of TASC.

In 2005 we opened our FIRST office on New Hope Road!

In 2011 we opened our counseling offices on Poplar Street in Rogers!

In 2018 we opened The Station in Springdale offering TASC  

             programming in Washington County!

And here we are 2021:

This week we will open a new door at 1194 W Walnut Street. This new office will be where our programs will originate for Benton County.

And shortly, our counseling services will move to our office at New Hope Road.

This is an exciting opportunity not just for our organization but for the many teens we have the capacity to serve.

On our 10th anniversary I announced the “passing of the baton” from one Executive Director to another, and in 2020 we passed that baton to Coletta Patterson who has helped us navigate growth and services through an incredibly difficult time. 

When we opened in 2005, we only had one employee, and now our staff includes 16 (plus 3 counseling interns) dedicated and committed people who love teens and families in our community. 

In the time since we opened that first door, the number of teens we serve has steadily increased, our Board of Directors has expanded, and our financial support has grown. 

The challenges facing teenagers also continue to grow. School, friends, relationships, poverty, lack of access to care, abuse, neglect, mental health needs, substance use, stereotyping and discrimination  are just a few of the many difficult things teenagers are trying to navigate.

We have learned over the past 16 years that with the right support and care, with encouragement and connection to resources, teens can overcome those challenges and confidently make their way into adulthood. The open doors at TASC have opened other doors for our young people and we are deeply grateful for a community, for volunteers, and for donors and sponsors who have made this all possible. 

What hasn’t changed in all these years is our mission to “Empower teens to take action in their own lives and communities.”

What doesn’t seem to be changing is the growth and need for services in our community.

What definitely hasn’t changed is how important it is to work together as a community supporting teens and their families and acknowledging the valuable gifts teens have to offer. 

That will never change.

#opendoors

#inthistogether

#grateful

Dawn Spragg - Teen Action and Support Center Co-Founder

Can you imagine this group of adjectives? A place like this exists. At least I think it does. At The Teen Action & Support Center, different is honestly just better. When we finally got word that a new location dedicated to you in Benton County could be opened, we immediately got to work on daydreaming. We hoped for a space that is supportive and cares for you. A space that is not loud and, in your face, but rather one that encourages you. There is no timeline, simply the freedom to create and do you. 

Our hope is that you know and feel this space was made specifically for you in every way. It can evolve and be refined time and time again to suit your needs. Within these spaces, we can help you navigate how to make your ideas come to life. Whatever they may be.

We did not do this alone, so many hands have been involved in bringing this space to life; so many hands have been involved in the creation of this second 3rd and safe space in Northwest Arkansas. From funding, to design, to creation, to furnishing, you have a community of people near you & are rooting for your success, however that looks. If my words leave you with one message, then I want that to be that this is truly a space for you.

A comfy, cozy, bright & dark space, precisely for you.… and we can’t wait to hear what you think. But for now, here’s a sneak peek: 

Despite the years' challenges, teens and staff at the Teen Action and Support Center have done remarkable things. Check out our 2020 year in review to see what we have been up to!

Over the last few weeks, we have adjusted routines and workspaces and created new programming to meet the needs of teens and their families.  We continue to offer resources for teens and parents and want to ensure our community is moving forward in healthy ways. Stay safe and healthy!

I am excited to join the Teen Action & Support Center family as Executive Director! I’ve worked with teens and families over the last several years and count it a privilege to serve with TASC.

Teen Action and Support Center: Each Day is a New Day

There have been so many changes in our routines, in our community, and in our world over the last few weeks. One thing that hasn’t changed is TASC’s commitment to supporting teens in our community. We have had to consider new ways to engage with teens and our community partners but we are still on mission!

TASC is ready to grow and working with the Jones Trust and Hight Jackson to create a space for our teens in Benton County. We are working on the funding to make this a reality and our generous supporters were ALL IN to help us get closer to making it happen!

(in) Service is TASC's program for volunteer service and mentorship. Each week we plan an array of meaningful service projects throughout Northwest Arkansas. Through this program, we give teens opportunities to give back to the community in ways they never have before. We want them to come away from these experiences excited about serving their community, having met new friends, and having learned from one of the many awesome adult mentors that accompany them on projects. In 2019, our teens contributed over 2,000 hours of service and completed 400 projects throughout the region. Learn about one of our recent projects below.

Recently a friend shared that her son had witnessed a classmate being mercilessly teased by another student. Although she said he obviously felt bad for what had happened, when she asked what he had done about it, he looked surprised and said, "Nothing."