Boys & Girls Club of Jackson joined 500 youth leaders at 2025 Tennessee Teen Institute

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF JACKSON JOINED 500 YOUTH LEADERS AT THE 2025 TENNESSEE TEEN INSTITUTE

Jackson, TN – Students from (Madison County), Tennessee joined 500 youth leaders from across the state at the Tennessee Teen Institute.

The Tennessee Teen Institute is a five-day youth leadership and prevention camp sponsored by the Jackson Area Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency (JACOA). This year marked the 38th Anniversary of the Teen Institute Program in Tennessee.  The program addresses teen issues such as bullying, violence, suicide, teen pregnancy, distracted driving, teen health, and substance abuse prevention through a five-day, peer-led prevention camp designed to provide teen participants with the skills and education necessary to develop and implement alcohol and drug abuse prevention programs in their own communities. This is a comprehensive program that trains, mobilizes, and empowers youth to prevent the illegal use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs and self-destructive behaviors in themselves and their peers. TTI prepares students to not only make positive changes, but to be proud advocates of those changes. Students will have the opportunity to grow and learn as individuals, while enhancing their leadership abilities. Because TTI is peer-led, teens are given a unique opportunity to have a “voice” in addressing issues important to them.  Giving youth some ownership in this type of program is one of the key factors in the success of enforcing a substance free lifestyle.  

Held on the University of Tennessee at Martin campus in Martin, Tennessee, June 22nd-27th, TTI 2025 hosted approximately 500 teen leaders, adult advisors, and TTI staff.  These participants leave motivated not only to make healthy decisions in their own lives, but also committed to work so that others are making healthy decisions in their communities as well. 

Mission statement for the Teen Institute Program is:

 “To empower Tennessee’s youth to lead by example and take an active role in bringing about positive changes by giving them the skills, knowledge, and support they need make healthy choices, build positive relationships and live substance free lives.”  

The Tennessee Teen Institute is funded in part by grants from TN Department of Health, TN Department of Mental Health Division of Substance Abuse Services, TN Highway Safety Office, and State Farm. JACOA is a nonprofit organization funded in part by the State of Tennessee and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

For more information about the Tennessee Teen Institute visit www.tnteeninstitute.net or contact us at tnteeninstitute@jacoa.org. 

About Boys & Girls Club of Jackson: The Boys & Girls Club of Jackson is a non-profit organization that has been serving the community for over 50 years, providing afterschool and summer programs for youth ages 5-18. With four locations in Jackson and one in Brownsville, the programs and services offered promote academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. The Boys & Girls Club is a United Way partner agency and licensed via the Department of Education and the Department of Human Services. We are dedicated to creating brighter futures for young people in West Tennessee. For more information, visit http://www.bgcajackson.org/ or https://www.facebook.com/BoysAndGirlsClubOfJackson

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