Photograph submitted ROGERS – The third annual Tour de Fun charity event to benefit the Teen Action and Support Center will be May 30.
Beginning at Lewis and Clark Outfitters in Rogers, the event will include 50-, 25- and 7-mile bike rides and a 5K walk/run. Proceeds will support free programs and services to teens and their families in northwest Arkansas. The Teen Action and Support Center, a local nonprofit agency, encourages youth 13 to 19 years old to realize their full potential by providing free, confidential services to teenagers and their families. The hope is that, through the help, the teenagers will become responsible, productive community members. Founded in 2005, the TASC in Rogers operates solely from private donations, community grants and proceeds from the Tour de Fun and other local benefits. The center is not funded by the state or federal government. In January, the agency began offering free, licensed counseling to teens and their families. Executive director Dawn Spragg is the licensed counselor helping teens and their families. According to program manager Rachel Osborn, the center’s focus is to “encourage, empower and connect” through four main program areas. Osborn said another program is First Steps, offering physical and emotional help to pregnant teens. The purpose of the program is to help equip teens to go on to achieve success. First Steps is centered around education and parenting skills to ensure that the teens and their families have the information and life skills to enable the transition into parenthood, as well as to succeed in their futures. A third program centered around counseling services for both family and individuals offers tremendous support for teenagers and their families. Teens are assisted in making the transition into young adulthood.
Mary’s Closet, a fourth program, helps with the teenagers’ physical resources affected by a loss, such as clothes or food. Osborn said each of the programs is always free and confidential.