AD House Resource Center

Newark AD House Peer Leader Staff 2009

What is an AD House Peer Leader?

An AD  House Peer Leader is an adolescent between the ages of  15-18 who receive extensive training to provide peer counseling, facilitate small group sessions, case recording, and other related duties as needed.

Why Does AD House Have Peer Leaders?

As a result of research, we have found that adolescents trust the Peer Leaders instead of adults.
 Also, Peer Leaders are able to establish a positive relationship with the adolescents. As a result the adolescents are able to share their inner feelings with the Peer Leaders and listen to the information that is shared in the group to begin to make positive choices that will change their way of thinking.

How Are AD House Peer Leaders Chosen?

Peer Leaders are screened by their school personnel prior to attending an interview at AD House. Criteria include:

• Academic status
• Communication skills

• Interpersonal skills

What Are Some of the Responsibilites of  AD House Peer Leaders?

Peer Leaders are trained to facilitate  small group sessions with the adolescents who are ages 13-14. They also conduct small group sessions with the Aging Out group which is 15-17 years of age. 

These group sessions for the teens ages 13-14 are designed to help them to release the situations that caused the pain which resulted in them being separated from their parents.    These group sessions include:

• Anger management,
• Self esteem,
• Life skills and
• Conflict resolution. 

 Therefore the adolescents are able to learn to listen, pay attention to the concept that is given and is able to begin to use the information that will help them to make positive choices.

The group sessions for the Aging Out group, ages 15-17, are designed to teach employability skills and encouragement to complete their  education. These sessions include:

• Computer training,
• Employment skills, 
• Financial literacy,
• Intergrity and
• Anger management.

Peer leadership is empowerment that works!