"Empowering youth and families for a stronger community since 1971"

Welcome to Youth Alternatives

Since its founding in 1971, Youth Alternatives has been the Family Counseling Center of choice in the Cheyenne area. What started off with a staff of one has grown into a center with more than 15 employees. Youth Alternatives, offers clients all the attention and care they deserve in order to get them moving in a positive direction.

Services

"Empowering Youth and Families for a Stronger Community"

As one of the Cheyenne area’s most prominent resources, Youth Alternatives specializes in a wide range of services to assist youth and families. And while they work hard to offer quality services to assist clients with change, they also focus on preventative strategies to ensure future success as well.

Youth Alternatives Mission:

To intervene in the lives of young people at an impressionable stage in their emotional growth and development when positive behaviors are more easily formed

Family Counseling

The family counseling program is designed to include parents and youth in the counseling process. Youth Alternatives has a strong belief in the family's ability to work together in solving problems and enriching relationships. Youth Alternatives also works closely with local schools on many projects designed to help youth both emotionally and academically. Youth Alternatives also provides consultation and training services to Laramie County School District #1.

Intake Packet

Court Services

Court Services are reserved for juveniles between the ages of 12 to 18 who have been cited into either the Municipal Court for the City of Cheyenne or the Laramie County Circuit Court due to misdemeanor offenses. Services offered include: Probation, Diversion, Community Service, Chemical Testing, Substance Abuse Diversion, Electronic Monitoring, and Mentoring Services.

Mentoring

Special Friends

Special Friends is a youth mentoring program offered by Youth Alternatives. The program provides adult volunteer mentors for youth, ages 6 - 14 in Cheyenne and the surrounding areas. Mentors spend at least three hours a week with their mentee for a period of three to twelve months. The program has approximately 100 volunteers from all walks of life who volunteer in many capacities and are dedicated to the youth of our community.

Special Friends Volunteer Application

The Foster Grandparent Program

The AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program provides opportunities for men and women 55 and older, with limited income, to serve as mentors and tutors to children in schools and other human service settings.

The program helps guide students to higher academic achievement. Foster Grandparents help prepare at risk children for Kindergarten, tutor students in reading and math, mentor challenged youth and serve as positive role models. Foster Grandparents receive a $3.00 per hour non-taxable stipend and many other benefits. Join our team and enrich your life while enriching the lives of others.

Outreach Services

Permanent Guardianship

Temporary Guardianship

Outreach services through Youth Alternatives are designed to provide resources and support in areas where these services are otherwise nonexistent. Outreach programs include:

Kinship Advocacy

The Kinship Advocacy Program provides care givers access to resources related to guardianship, respite, education, and support. Youth participating in the program are also provided with access to after school activities, counseling, and support services.

The Alternative Center for Community Involvement and School Success

(ACCISS)

ACCISS is an after school program geared towards providing social support, education services, after school and summer activities as well as family services and mentoring for Junior High Students.

ACCISS Application

Group Services

Crisis Intervention

Youth Alternatives provides 24 hour crisis support through the office number, 307-637-6480, or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, 1-800-273-8255. In the event that you are experiencing an emergency please dial 911 for assistance.

Youth Alternatives offers a variety of groups to assist individuals navigate through the change process.

Groups Include:

ADHD Parent Support

Autism Asperger Parent Support

Anger Management

Girls Group

Guys Group

Parent Education and Support

Single Parent Support

Step Family Issues

Additional groups may be added depending on the needs of the community.

Group Intake Packet

Community Challenge Course

The Community Challenge Course is geared towards helping young people and adults confront their fears and issues. The course helps individuals build the confidence to take risks, establish better relationships and learn about themselves. The course is characterized by an atmosphere that is fun, supportive and challenging. All activities are closely supervised by certified facilitators and are available to organizations, groups and teams in the community.

Release Forms

STAFF of YOUTH ALTERNATIVES

Quality Professionals — Here to Assist You

JAY

SULLIVAN

DIRECTOR

BROOKS

COTTON

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

FREDERIKA BARELA

OPERATIONS MANAGER

ANNA

BANISH

SECRETARY

DR. RICHARD BERRY

PREVENTION SERVICES

CLINICAL SUPERVISOR

PAIGE

DUFFET

Probation Officer/Case Manager

BRENDA SCHMUCKER

FAMILY COUNSELOR

ERIC

PATTERSON

FAMILY COUNSELOR

COMMUNITY SERVICE ASSISTANT

ACCISS PROGRAM COORDINATOR

ALEX

PEREZ

GEORGIA

BROYLES

CHANTELLE

RUNION

FAMILY/SUICIDE INTERVENTION COUNSELOR

CAREY JR. HIGH ACCISS SITE MANAGER

ALICE

CARTER

JAN

SPIRES

KINSHIP PROGRAM COORDINATOR

VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

ISAIAH

TAFOYA

JOHNSON JR. HIGH ACCISS SITE MANAGER

JUDI

JOHNSTON

FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM COORDINATOR

ALLYSON

MONTGOMERY

FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM ASSISTANT COORDINATOR

The Friends of Youth Alternatives

ENSURING THE FUTURE OF

"OUR KIDS"

The Friends of Youth Alternatives is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) that has been established exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. The sole purpose of The Friends of Youth Alternatives is to generate alternative funds to support Youth Alternatives and the youth and families that it serves.

Your gift is greatly appreciated.

DEVYAN

PAIZ

THANK YOU

The Friends of Youth Alternatives as well as the staff of Youth Alternatives would like to thank those who have been supportive of our efforts to ensure the success of our community's youth and families. In order to continue these efforts, we would ask that you consider a gift to ensure the future of "Our Kids."

ANNUAL GIVING

Individuals wishing to contribute may pledge a specific amount on a monthly basis.
Please contact the Operations Manager for further information at 307-637-6480.

CHARITABLE BEQUESTS

Charitable bequests are gladly welcomed. and can have a lasting impact on the future of our youth and community. We hope that you include Youth Alternatives in your estate plans.
Please contact the Operations Manager for further information at 307-637-6480.

APPRECIATED ASSETS

Appreciated securities such as stocks, mutual funds, bonds , or real estate is another great way of supporting our efforts to serve our community's youth and families.
Please contact the Operations Manager for further information at 307-637-6480

ENDOWED GIFTS

An endowed gift is permanently invested, and only a portion of the earnings is withdrawn. The principal is never spent. A gift to the Friends of Youth Alternatives endowment is a great way to ensure the success of "Our Kids," as well as the future of our community.

Please contact the Operations Manager for further information at 307-637-6480.

GIFTS OF LIFE INSURANCE

Life insurance is another great option to ensure the ongoing support for "Our Kids." Often times life insurance is no longer needed for personal or financial reasons and may serve as a lasting contribution to the Friends of Youth Alternatives.
Please contact the Operations Manager for further information at 307-637-6480.

News and Events

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Hours

EVENTS!

Mon: 8:00am - 6:00pm
Tue: 8:00am - 8:00pm
Wed: 8:00am - 6:00pm
Thu: 8:00am - 6:00pm
Fri: 8:00am - 5:00pm

Contact Information

Youth Alternatives is available to assist you should the need arise. Please call to discuss your needs with a qualified professional. If you are experiencing an emergency please dial 911.

If you are inquiring about counseling services please contact the office directly at the number listed below.

1328 Talbot Ct, Cheyenne, WY 82001, USA

(307) 637-6480

About Us

The Office of Youth Youth Alternatives is a division of the City of Cheyenne and is under the direction of Jay Sullivan.

This is the official web site for The Office of Youth Alternatives. This site is sponsored by The Friends of Youth Alternatives, a non-profit, fund raising board, dedicated to sustaining the quality services provided by Youth Alternatives to the community's youth and families by . The collaborative effort with Youth Alternatives allows the program to continue to provide ongoing services by offsetting the cost associated with such through various fundraising efforts.

The Friends of Youth Alternatives Board Members

Officers:

Gina John-President

Martha Mullikin-Vice President

Cheryl Seaberg-Treasurer

Margie Cook-Secretary

Members:

Heidi Beranek

Alicia Blackwell

Barb Boyer

Jamie Hunt

Carla Langseth

Tammy Simpson

This web site is sponsored by The Friends of Youth Alternatives, and operated by The Office of Youth Alternatives.