Farmington Hills Alateen Helps Kids with Alcoholic Parents

A group of Farmington-area teens gathered recently at the University of Michigan football stadium's 50-yard line to talk about the issues they face as children of parents who struggle with alcohol. 

The Farmington Hills Alateen group meets Thursdays, 7:30 p.m., at Orchard United Methodist Church in Farmington Hills. Organizer Mitch Seelye said the trip to UM with eight adult sponsors included a tour of the stadium.

"It was a great day for the kids," he said, adding organizers hope to do something special every other month. He said Alateen provides not only support, but is a good social outlet for teens. "It's amazing how quickly the kids become best friends." 

At Friday's Call to Action Coalition annual breakfast, Seelye recounted a story told at this year's Alateen convention by a 17-year-old young woman, who grew up with alcoholic parents and step-parents. At one point, he said, her father locked her in a closet so that she wouldn't be exposed to a cocaine party he was hosting. 

Three days after the party, she was still in the closet. But in September, the teen entered Ohio State University on full scholarship, and "she credits Alateen," Seelye said. 

For information about Farmington Hills Alateen, call 248-324-1448 or write to mitch@mitchmaster.com.