2024 Joyce Stein Award Celebration
HONORING THOSE WHO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE GROWTH AND ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN The Joyce Stein Memorial Award is given in memory of Boisean Joyce Ann Stein, a long-time […]
Starting Conversations: Healthy Adolescent Relationships
The vision of the WCA to is to foster a community where individuals thrive in safe, healthy relationships. In order to achieve this vision, it must be a community effort; young people and adults, service-providers and business people, college students and working professionals, etc., all coming together for a shared future. With the last few weeks of summer ahead of us, the timing is right to focus on what parents, family members and others involved with teenagers can do.
Oftentimes we’ll hear parents say that they want to help but they are unsure of what they can do—their child isn’t dating yet or their child is already in a healthy relationship. However, we always tell any parent is that it is never too early or the wrong time to talk about healthy relationships. Starting conversations with your teen is a great way for every parent, family member, or family friend to join in the efforts of preventing relationship abuse.
A great resource every parent should check out is LoveIsRespect.Org. This national agency not only provides trained peer advocates 24/7/365 offering education, support and advocacy to teens, young adults, and their concerned loved ones, it also provides a ton of great information and resources for teens and their parents. Check out their sample questions to start a conversation with your child:
They provide some more tips to continue the conversation:
Additionally, the WCA offers educational presentations for young people or parents on the topics of healthy relationships. If you’re interested or have any other questions focused on youth engagement, please contact Madeline D’Onfro at [email protected].