ECHO MALIBU
LAUNCHES NEW INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Echo Malibu Youth Treatment Center
recently launched a new Internship Program for youth receiving
treatment for chemical dependency, emotional and behavioral health
issues. The program allows youth to explore different career paths
while being mentored by successful and sober writers, actors,
musicians, artists, athletes and other positive role models.
One youth, Mary M. describes her
experience as life changing. “For as long as I can remember
I’ve wanted to do hair and make-up for TV. I couldn’t
believe it when my counselor told me that I was going to get to
Intern doing make-up for something that’s really going to
be on VH1. “ She went on to state, “I worked on a
new show called So Notorious. Tori Spelling is the lead actress.
She let me work on her and took time to talk to me about my life
and career goals.” Mary added, “Now I realize that
if I stay sober, the possibilities for my life are unlimited.
I can do anything.”
According to Dr. Jeff Nalin, co-founder
of Echo Malibu Youth Treatment Center, Mary’s reaction is
not unique. “We have a lot of youth very excited by the
options that are being presented to them through the Internship
Program. “ He went on to state, “Good treatment is
not just about taking drugs away from young people. It’s
about replacing the drug use with something positive; it’s
about helping people find the rewards of living a life free of
chemical dependency and/or emotional difficulties. Too many youth
equate sobriety with boredom, when in fact just the opposite is
true.”
Cole Rucker, co-founder of Echo
Malibu Youth Treatment Center adds “We have been surprised,
and delighted, by the number of people in the entertainment and
sports industries who have been enthusiastic about allowing teens
to intern. These are busy successful professionals who are graciously
taking time out to meet the needs of the young people we serve.
Clearly they see value in the program, but more importantly they
see great value in these youth."
NEW
STAFF MEMBER JOINS ECHO MALIBU TREATMENT TEAM
David Richard Thompson
will be conducting life story workshops at ECHO MALIBU. David
has been creatively involved in television, film, music and photography
for more than 15 years. During that time, he has worked with each
of these mediums to assist youth in telling their stories. David
has served as a Producer, Mentor and Teacher for the non-profits
Young Filmmakers Academy and California Young Playwrights Project.
He also is a consultant to RKO’s non-profit “The Story
Project”. Many families ask why David looks familiar to
them. While he has many TV and film credits, most remember him
in his role as “Roz’s” boyfriend “Leon”
on the television series, “Frasier”.
David works with the youth at
ECHO MALIBU in the art of story telling. This is most often done
in the form of playwriting, screenwriting, photography, video
or filmmaking. The purpose of story telling is to assist youth
in telling their life stories as one component of the therapeutic
process.
Melissa DeSantis
is joining the ECHO MALIBU Team as a clinical intern. She holds
a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and is completing her Master
of Social Work degree at the University of Southern California.
Melissa has served as a Case Manager and Individual Therapist
for the Downtown Women’s Center, as a Mental Health Worker
for the Hall-Brooke Behavioral Health Services Nursing Department
and the State of Connecticut Office of Juvenile Probation.
ECHO
MALIBU CONTINUES SUPPORT FOR REVIVING BASEBALL IN INNER CITIES.
Echo Malibu recently participated
in a fundraising dinner for Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities.
The event brought together professional baseball players, business
leaders, members of the news and entertainment professions and
other concerned civic leaders committed to RBI’s goal to
revive baseball in the inner cities. Proceeds went directly to
RBI to support the mission of providing a positive, high quality
baseball experience to more than 185,000 youth in 185 cities world
wide. The ultimate intent is to use baseball as a tool to reduce
high school drop out rates, drug use and gang affiliations.
According to Dr. Nalin, co-founder
of ECHO MALIBU Youth Treatment Center “Supporting quality
prevention programs is an important part of our mission. It’s
ideal if youth can find positive alternatives to drugs and never
require our services.”
