Newsletter #4 - Make the most of your summer with confidence.

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TeenHelp Newsletter #4 - July 17th 2010 - http://www.teenhelp.org

Welcome to the TeenHelp Newsletter! Our Newsletter contains a lot of useful information about our current work, including updates to our site and services, work with our partners and affiliates, details of upcoming events, short bits of advice, interesting links and more!

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TeenHelp regularly makes changes to its site and services. Some of these are large and noticeable, and others are small and much less so, but each one contributes to the positive development of TeenHelp and how our users experience our community. Below are some of the most recent developments.

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Vacancy in Avatar Magazine (July 4th 2010)

We currently have a vacancy for a Sub-Editor of Dear Avatar in the Editor team for TeenHelp's monthly magazine, Avatar. The Sub-Editor is responsible for giving advice to readers in the Dear Avatar advice column. If you wish to join the Avatar team, please complete an application form at your earliest opportunity.

http://www.teenhelp.org/apply/

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B2 Net Solutions sponsorship (June 29th 2010)

TeenHelp is pleased to announce that we are now being sponsored by B2 Net Solutions, who are generously sponsoring our hosting costs. This support is invaluable to us, and we are eternally grateful for this most welcomed contribution to TeenHelp. B2 Net Solutions provide a range of website hosting services, and we hope you will take the time to check out their website.

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TeenHelp works with a range of different organisations and websites in order to help and educate young people. Below are some of our most recent affiliations. For a full list of the organisations we work with, please visit our Resources page.

http://www.teenhelp.org/resources/

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Life Coach Directory

Would you like to have your very own personal life coach to help you out? At Life Coach Directory, you can have just that! Life Coach Directory is a confidential organization that helps people in the UK find qualified life coaches to help them deal with a variety of issues, including confidence, relationships and finances. Your life coach can offer you sessions tailored to your needs either in person, on the phone, or over the Internet.

http://www.lifecoach-directory.org.uk/

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Each month we share small bits of practical advice that you can implement to improve your life or that of others.

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Preventing boredom

July is Anti Boredom Month. With school being out, what can you do to keep yourself busy?

• You can volunteer. Volunteering is a fun and rewarding way to reach out to others, support your community, or achieve other goals you might have. TeenHelp, like many charitable organisations, has a variety of volunteering opportunities available. Check out our volunteer page for more information on how you can help out! http://www.teenhelp.org/volunteer/
• Join a club or take up a sport. Most cities offer various sports and clubs that usually take place a couple of days a week, which will get you out of the house and help you to gain new and valuable friends! Check out our Lifestyle forum for more ideas or help on finding new hobbies! http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f219-lifestyle/
• Get a job. If you are old enough to get a job in your area, why not find a temporary one for the summer? It will give you some extra spending money, and it will also give you more experience for when you want to work all year round! Check out our Education and Careers forum for more information or help on finding a job. http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f22-education-careers/

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Making your summer a good one

It‘s finally that time of the year! Summer has begun and the weather is beautiful. Here are a few ways to make sure you have one of your best summers yet.

• Make memories you will remember forever. Be sure to spend a lot of time with family and friends.
• Always have a camera handy. Record the moments that mean the most to you so that you can go look back on them in the future.
• Be safe. If you’re going to a party or are having a night out otherwise, be sure to make arrangements to have a designated driver.
• Don’t worry about things you can’t control. The summer goes by fast, so just live every single day to the fullest!

If you have any more questions on how to make your summer the best one yet, we’d love to hear from you! http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f3-general/

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Summer fling vs. the real thing

Sun, beach parties, exotic locations, no stress, and lots more free time on your hands; summer has officially started. Those long and magical summer nights with the boy or girl of your dreams are seemingly perfect. Will it last, though, or will it be a short holiday romance that will leave you with happy memories? Here are some tips to help you watch out for signs of a long-term relationship or a summer romance so you are not left disappointed if your companion vanishes with the summer.

It may be the real thing if you:

• Both make an effort to spend time together.
• Are interested to know everything about him/her.
• Talk about goals, interests, embarrassing moments and the future and want to connect on a deeper level.
• Have met each other's family.
• Genuinely enjoy his/her company.

It may be a summer fling if you:

• Want to start dating straight away.
• Do not know simple details, such as his/her surname.
• Know he/she will not fit in with your lifestyle when you are back at home.
• Tend to keep personal details to yourself, and stay away from sharing embarrassing situations.
• Sometimes have nothing to say and never talk about families, careers, goals and dreams.

Unfortunately, there is no way to know for sure whether or not your relationship will last after the summer has past; but, if two people are truly in love, they will find ways to be together no matter what.

For advice on summer flings and long-term relationships, visit: http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f9-relationships-dating/

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A lot of content is posted to TeenHelp every single day, from threads to articles, social groups to albums. But it is difficult for even the most veteran user to keep on top of it all, so we have selected a few items from among the masses that we thought were interesting to draw your attention to.

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Threads

Something you don't know about me
Telling others something that they do not know could be interesting and help you to strike up a conversation with someone you've not spoken to before!
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f35-g...know-about-me/

2+ things you like about yourself
We all need a boost of self confidence every now and then. Let us know a few things you like about yourself! While you are at it, check out what others have said about themselves too.
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f3-ge...bout-yourself/

What age are you on different planets?
Do you ever wonder how old you would be on other planets? Well, here is an interesting thread to find out. Calculate your birthday and discover your true age on Venus, Mars, and even Uranus.
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f32-c...erent-planets/

Goals for the summer?
Find out what other members' goals are for the summer, and maybe get ideas for your own!
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f126-...-goals-summer/

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Social Groups

I hate summer
Are you one of those people who dislike summer? Join this social group to find others just like you!
http://www.teenhelp.org/socialgroups/g2-i+hate++summer/

We Agreed To Disagree
"We Agreed To Disagree" is a social group geared towards making a difference in the TeenHelp community by promoting and encouraging acceptance of all people regardless of their beliefs or customs.
http://www.teenhelp.org/socialgroups...ree%26quot%3B/

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Upcoming events

Discussion: LGBT, sexuality and gender identity (Saturday July 17th 2010)

Do you feel discriminated against because of your sexual orientation? Do you need some support in 'coming out'? Discovering your sexual orientation can be a very confusing, lonely and isolating time. You may not know anyone else who feels the same way as you do, and you may feel worried and concerned that your peers will not accept you. Join this discussion for advice and support, and to ask any questions surrounding LGBT, sexuality and gender identity issues.

Discussion: Building confidence and self esteem (Saturday July 24th 2010)

If you have low confidence or self esteem you may feel unable do certain tasks or that you are disliked by others. These feelings might hold you back and stop you from enjoying life to its fullest. Join this discussion to learn techninques to give your self-esteem a boost, and how to work on building confidence for a more fulfilling lifestyle.

Discussion: Health (drop in) (Saturday July 31st 2010)

Do you find that the fast pace of every day life gives you little time to look after yourself and take care of your health? Each new day brings new demands, makes us busier, that we often neglect the basics; we become more prone to general health problems, which can also be worrysome, a problem in itself. Join this discussion for tips on how to stay healthy, and for support with general health issues.

Discussion: Mental health (drop in) (Saturday August 7th 2010)

At some point in our lives, we may be touched by mental health issues -- at any time and any place -- whether it affects ourselves directly, or someone we know and care about. The stigma behind mental health may prevent people from seeking the help and support they need to recover. No matter what your problem, this discussion will help you to reach out and provide you with extra support.

For more information about upcoming Facilitated Chat Room Discussions (FCRDs), and the times that these discussions will take place, please visit our FCRD page.

http://www.teenhelp.org/chat/discussions/

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Avatar is now out

Avatar is TeenHelp's very own monthly magazine. Each month we publish a series of high quality articles and other content produced by TeenHelp users. July marks the first issue of Volume 4! Highlights of the July issue include: Articles about how to redecorate your space, safe summer sex, information on HIV/AIDS and many more interesting articles.

July 2010: http://www.teenhelp.org/links/click.php?id=2
Avatar page: http://www.teenhelp.org/avatar/

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Statistics

20,000 registered users.
Within the past eighteen months, more then 20,000 people have registered on TeenHelp! Thats about 1,111 a month!

10,000 Live Help calls.
In eighteen months our Live Help Operators have helped over 10,000 people via one-to-one support in our Live Help system.

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Donate to TeenHelp

In order to continue providing free services to young people around the world, TeenHelp requires a constant income of voluntary donations to support our regular costs. If you are able to, we ask that you please donate any money you can to us, even if it's only a few dollars.

http://www.teenhelp.org/donate/

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Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Our Facebook and Twitter pages are a great place to get a lot of high-quality information. We aim to connect you to interesting organisations, volunteering opportunities, events, news stories, pictures, videos, and more!

Facebook: http://www.teenhelp.org/facebook
Twitter: http://www.teenhelp.org/twitter

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Editorial team

Editor-in-Chief: Rob
Deputy Editor: Briana
Assistant Editor: Brittany (.Brittany.)
Assistant Editor: Haley (Halcyon)

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