Pendeza Green, BA¹, Oluwafeyikemi Adesina, BS², Debarati Banerji, BS², Earl Canson, BS², Norma Escobedo, BS², Marie Prosper, BS², Mariana Ritchie, BS², R. Patti Herring, PhD, RN¹, Susanne B. Montgomery, PhD, MPH², Julie Pham, BS³, and Heather Diaz, MPH³. (1) Health Promotion & Education, Loma Linda University, School of Public Health, Nichol Hall, Loma Linda, CA 92350, 909/558-8729, pendeza@earthlink.net, (2) Dept. of Health Promotion & Education, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Nicol Hall Room 1511, Loma Linda, CA 92350, (3) Health Promotion & Education, Loma Linda University School of Public Health, Nichol Hall, Loma Linda, CA 92350

Teenagers, especially in underserved and impoverished areas have historically faced significant pressures. Many report that they are harassed by law enforcement who expect them to someday be involved in sex, drugs, and violence. To address these and other challenges like urban homelessness, HIV/AIDS, and access to health care, the Central City Lutheran Mission (CCLM) was founded. As part of a community program development class public health graduate students conducted a comprehensive needs assessment aimed at developing an intervention accepted by the youth. In addition to ethnographic observations, 21 key informant interviews and one focus group were conducted with teens, parents/guardians, and youth development professionals. Using grounded theory methods, the resulting transcripts were coded and themed for emerging response patterns. Findings support that teenagers are frustrated with the lack of available jobs, transportation limiting their access to banks, grocery stores, and community services; the need of neighborhood involvement especially from mentors and role models; and finally the side effects of these issues which result in high rates of drug use/dealing, violence and teenage pregnancy. Furthermore youth expressed being 'tired' of being labeled as 'high risk' youth and expectations that they should therefore participate in any programs offered to them. They request activities any teenager would enjoy such as watching movies and hanging out in safe surroundings. Accordingly, a program is being developed bringing youth together to watch and discuss popular movies from a prevention perspective. Process and impact evaluations are being conducted. Results will be analyzed for program sustainability and improvement.

Learning Objectives: By the end of this session, participants will be able to

• Identify thre positive ways that multi-faith communities can work together successfully in addressing disparity issues in their area. 2. Identify three challenges to a prevention mindset that underserved inner city youth in impoverished communities face. 3. Describe how they would apply the project's lessons learned about the needs and profile of successful intervention programs tailored to inner city and underserved youth. 3.

Keywords: Underserved Populations, Challenges and Opportunities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.