October 5, 2026

Every teen makes mistakes. Most are small. Some happen at school, in front of teachers and classmates, and come with real consequences.

For Jonas, that moment came when he was caught drinking alcohol on campus.

It would be easy to see that as the whole story: a teen who made a bad choice. But the drinking wasn't where Jonas' story started. Like many teens, he had been dealing with peer pressure and stress at home, and it had started showing up in his schoolwork and in his relationships with his family.

Instead of a suspension, Jonas was referred to one of California Youth Services' Alternative to Suspension programs. That's where he met CYS, and where his story begins to change.

Over the next several weeks, we'll share what happened next: the support he received, the work he and his family put in, and what it took to start rebuilding trust. Along the way, we'll also share practical resources for parents, because Jonas' story is one many families will recognize.

One mistake does not have to define a teen's future. Thank you for following Jonas' journey with us.

Next week: What should you do when your teen gets in trouble with alcohol or drugs?