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Most teens have a common problem, says youth development consultant Nicki Sanders. No one seems to expect very much from them.

"We're shocked when we see a teenager who's doing well or who isn't an underage parent," said Sanders, founder of the Teen Toolbox life skills program. "Those challenges aren't everybody's reality. When teens have someone to guide and support them, they succeed."

Sanders will team up with the Prince George's County nonprofit Butterfly Cares to provide a free back-to-school workshop on Saturday that will feature success tips, activities and resources for youth and parents. She has also staged a number of job search workshops for the county's park and planning system.

Sanders, who lives in Columbia, has worked in social services for the past 10 years. During that time she's assisted families with such basic strategies as what to ask during a doctor's visit, how to complete a school application or even how to draft a grocery list.

"I found that if adults needed these skills, their kids did too," Sanders said.

Teens who appear angry, bored or unfocused might simply need someone to show them how to get from A to B, she says.

"School was easy for me," Sanders said. "Everyone thought that since I got good grades, I could figure out how to get into college on my own."

But she said she lacked direction and support.

Today, Sanders primarily reaches out to those youth who blend in with the crowd. These teens aren't in youth detention, she said, but they're also not the star athletes or top achievers.

"They could easily fall through the cracks," she said.

She helps them identify their strengths and talents and develop a plan to reach their dreams.

Sanders knows how to make her point with young audiences, said Kevin Logan, founder of the Clinton-based Young Entrepreneurship Program that meets monthly in Surrattsville High School. Sanders, he says, uses examples from current hip-hop and film stars to get kids' attention.

"She makes things relevant," said Logan, who recently worked with Sanders to teach success tips to about 10 budding business owners.

Sanders gets lots of practice as she attempts to relate to her own 16-year-old daughter.

"Teens want security and safety," said Sanders, a single parent. "Don't hover, but show you care."

Sanders often talks to her daughter while they're riding in the car. She also sends her daughter text messages, mails letters and watches MTV with her teen. These strategies can help parents build connections so they can teach their young adults how to navigate in the world, she said.

"I'm the conversation starter," Sanders said. "You have to be willing to hear what you don't want to hear. Your teen should be able to tell you anything, because some subjects really are about life and death."

Nicki Sanders

How she makes a difference: The founder of the Teen Toolbox life skills program, Sanders plans to participate in a back-to-school workshop for youth and parents Saturday. Visit www.theteentoolbox.com or e-mail theteentoolbox@yahoo.com.