25th birthday yesterday.

And it toasted the landmark with a pledge: we will continue meeting the needs of Bermudian youngsters.

"We flex and bend to meet the needs of teenagers. We have always done it and will continue to do it,'' said Director Vaughn Harvey.

Minister of Health and Social Services the Hon. Quinton Edness was also on hand to offer congratulations.

"The programme has served this community tremendously well over the past 25 years. We owe them a debt of gratitude,'' said Mr. Edness The group was set up under the Youth Health Education Development Programme.

Based at the Department of Health and Social Services, it was launched when the problem of pregnant adolescent girls missing school and girls under 16 at risk of pregnancy became evident.

The group set out to educate girls who had left school, and help them back into the system.

Since 1966, the organisation has expanded to keep up with the changing times.

The annual Teen Conference was introduced, which gives youngsters a chance to interact with their peers and recognise the high achievers among their age group.

Young women who have left school because of pregnancy are now able to complete their Bermuda Secondary School Certificate through Teen Services and graduate from high school.

"Pregnancy is no longer a reason for young girls not to get an education,'' said chairperson of the 25th Anniversary Committee and former director for 20 years Mrs. Olga Scott.

Teen Services offers counselling not just to young men and women, but also to families and communities.

"We are multi-faceted,'' said Mrs. Scott.

The group interacts with other organisations, like the National Alcohol and Drug Agency (NADA) and the Ministry for Health and Social Services to provide the best possible service to the young people of today.

TEEN TEAM -- Celebrating Teen Services' 25th anniversary are, from left, anniversary committee chairperson Mrs. Olga Scott, Health and Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness, Teen Services chairperson Mrs. Georgine Hill, Director Mr. Vaughn Harvey and committee member Mrs. Dawn Jensen.