Psychological First Aid is designed to reduce the initial distress caused by traumatic events and to foster short and long-term adaptive functioning and coping. Staff at BYSN organizations were certified in PFA in spring 2010 by Robert Macy (Boston Childrens Foundation) as part of a network capacity-building initiative.
Juan is 18 years old a proud father, a student at City Roots and a Boston Youth Service Network youth committee member. Juan's family is from Venezuela, who moved from Florida to Boston. Juan was referred to City Roots by his brother who completed and graduated the program already, after he dropped out of his public high school. He wanted to start the school year fresh, and to still have the chance to get his diploma. At City Roots, Juan is learning Italian, and passing all of his classes, with good grades.