TeenLine, 24-Hour Crisis Hotline for Teens, Scores Promotional Boost from Houston Aeros and BMC Software

HOUSTON - TeenLine, Houston’s 24-hour crisis hotline for teens, has scored promotional and fund-raising support from the Houston Aeros and sponsor BMC Software as a charity partner for the 2006-2007 Aeros hockey season. The special partnership kicks off Sunday, Oct. 8, at 5:05 p.m. when the Houston Aeros play the Iowa Stars in the Toyota Center.

Crisis Intervention of Houston, Inc. (CIH), the non-profit organization that operates TeenLine, will receive a donation each time this season that the Aeros score a goal at home during a “power play,” a situation where the opposing team has at least one less player on the ice due to a penalty.

Aeros defenseman Ryan Stokes is serving as spokesperson for youth-targeted public service videos that promote TeenLine and the 713-529-TEEN number. He also recorded a “no bullying” message, as bullying continues to be an alarming trend in middle schools and high schools across the U.S., including Houston.

In the first 30-second video, Stokes says that life, like hockey, can deal out “tough hits,” and that it is ok to call TeenLine and get help. In the “no bullying” video, he tells teens that “respect starts with you…so don’t be a bully.”

The Aeros will show the videos, shot at their official training facility, Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center, at home games to help raise awareness of TeenLine. CIH will also use the videos to reach teens through broadcast outlets, internet sites and during youth outreach programs in area schools.

Stokes and other Aeros players will make appearances at Houston area middle schools and high schools with CIH’s youth outreach staff to promote TeenLine. In turn, CIH staff and volunteers will host an information booth at selected Aeros games to talk with those interested in becoming TeenLine volunteers.

“Many teens are faced with problems like drugs, gangs, family violence and peer pressure, so it’s important to let them know that there is a safe, anonymous place where they can call for help,” said Shari Koziol, executive director of Crisis Intervention of Houston. “We couldn’t have asked for better partners than the Houston Aeros and BMC Software to spread the word about TeenLine.”

TeenLine (713-529-TEEN) is a 24/7 telephone counseling and referral service staffed by teens and adults who undergo special training in crisis counseling. The program also includes TeenLink, a private, online counseling service that can be accessed by logging on to teenlinkhouston.org.

“Any time the Aeros can partner with a great organization like BMC Software and a service as important as TeenLine, we’re eager to be involved,” said Aeros president Tom Garrity. “This partnership is a great fit with our strong charities mission statement of creating programs which address the educational and physical needs of children.”

Both TeenLine and TeenLink are funded and operated by Crisis Intervention of Houston, Inc. a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people in crisis. A United Way agency, CIH crisis counseling services include adult-targeted Crisis Hotline (713-HOTLINE) and Spanish Hotline (713-47-AYUDA). The organization provides a variety of other educational and outreach programs to help people and communities recover from crisis.

Support from Houston-based BMC Software was an integral part of bringing the Aeros and CIH together. "BMC Software partners with local organization such as Crisis Intervention of Houston to address issues facing the communities in which we operate. The popularity and reach of the Houston Aeros will help educate teens on resources that are available to them on key issues such as peer pressure and bullying," said Dan D'Armond, director of community and government relations for BMC Software.

The Houston Aeros professional hockey team supports local non-profit organizations through Houston Aeros Charities, which is dedicated to creating programs and fundraising initiatives which address the educational and physical needs of children in the Houston Gulf Coast area.

For more information on Crisis Intervention of Houston or TeenLine, visit http://www.crisishotline.org.