What is Touch Point Connection?

Touch Point Connection’s mission has been to introduce the power of personal coaching to schools, youth-serving organizations, and parents. It is designed to support success of youth in developing the skills and competencies required for productive lives and careers.

Our initial direction was to bring coaching conversations to under-served and “at-risk” students at an inner city high school. However, we now hold that whatever the youth population may be, coaching conversations can help all adolescents dream big and build their futures.

The Power of Coaching Adolescents

Howie with Teens

Youth Coaching:

  • INSPIRES them to move towards their futures with confidence.
  • HONORS and accepts the person each adolescent is now and the person he or she is becoming.
  • CREATES agreements and commitments between the adolescent and the coach based on mutual trust and respect.
  • PROVIDES a safe, non-judgmental presence for youth to communicate, explore, identify, and focus on their strengths and values while generating choices for their future.
  • PROMOTES opportunities for greater self-awareness and self-empowerment, as well as networks of support to navigate the challenging years of adolescence.
  • IMPROVES performance and decreases adverse influences so they can achieve their best.
  • SUPPORTS goal setting, and co-designing actions to reach their dreams.
  • DEVELOPS 21st century life and career skills such as analysis and decision-making, communication and collaboration, flexibility and adaptability, and accountability and productivity.

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Touch Point Connection’s Name Describes the Coaching Approach

Touch Point: A light touch of support that can provide balance to keep someone moving toward success and self-empowerment. The “touch point” is there with the request and permission of the adolescent.

Connection: a safe, trusting and non-judgmental “connection” where an adolescent can explore, practice and develop skills, self-awareness, competencies, and choices for their future.

International Coach Federation

We followed the definition of coaching, ethics principles, competencies, and standards established by the International Coach Federation (ICF) practices. Those guidelines can be found on the ICF website at coachfederation.org

Coaching Teens… Building Futures

Students Say…

“Because of coaching, my life is better because I can actually meet my goals and reach for my future goals.   I'm stronger and more positive since having a coach.”
“My coach and I worked on a graph so I could organize my time better. I was getting C’s and D’s on my progress report, now I am getting A’s and B’s on my report card.”
“I used to think of myself as lazy and a failure. Since I've had a coach, my perspective is different and now I can see myself being successful.”
“Before my coaching I had no ideas of what to do after high school. Now I have ideas on how to reach my goals.”
“Coaching was a moment where I could just talk about what I want.”
“At first we just talked, it felt good to talk to someone and really trust them.”
“I learned that I can be independent and don’t have to rely on others, but can get support when I feel I need it.”
“Since I started working with a coach I'm way more confident and I don't care if people judge me.”
“Before coaching I was getting C's and D's. Now I am getting A's and B's on my report card.”
“Coaching has given me the strength to show the world what I've got and what I can do. I have learned to not limit my challenges but challenge my limits.”
“I had somebody who would help me set up steps to reach my goals. It wasn't complicated, she made it simple. It was positive, and I had the ability to identify those steps.”
“When asked what makes an ideal coach, she responded: "Somebody who listens to my opinions and helps me get more ideas about what I want.”
“It felt good to have an adult in my life that I could trust and didn’t judge me.”
“I connected with my coach. I wasn’t afraid to tell her personal stuff. I could trust her because I wasn’t being judged.”
“Talking with someone helped me to understand what was right and wrong.”
“I had someone who just listened. When I had a question there was a combination of getting ideas from him, and figuring out myself.”
“It was good. My coach helped me a lot with organizing my life.”
“My coach didn’t judge me and tell me I was throwing away my life.”
“I know now that when I have a problem there are different ways to solve it other than violence.”
“Before my coaching I had no idea of what to do after high school; now I have ideas on how to reach goals I didn’t know I had.”
“Our relationship was more about a friendship. I have told him secrets - things about myself I have not told anyone else.”
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