Healthy relationships: Offer support, raise awareness during Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

Let us travel through time. Go back to your teenage/young adult years. What occupied your thoughts? How did you spend most of your time? For me, I remember always being a planner and looking ahead — I got my first job and immediately began saving for college and looking ahead to the grownup years. Gossip would spread through the high school like lives depended on the news reaching one end of the hallway to the other. Teenage years were full of innocence, immaturity, and bad clothes.

But for so many teenagers and young adults, those years are also full of dread and even trauma. As many celebrate the month of love in February, let us also think of those who are not in situations where they are loved in healthy ways.

Dating violence is more common than you may think, especially among teens and young adults: 1 in 3 U.S. teens will experience physical, sexual or emotional abuse from someone they are in a relationship with before becoming adults. Nearly half (43%) of U.S. college women report experiencing violent or abusive dating behaviors.

Each February, young adults and their loved ones nationwide raise awareness about teen dating violence through Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM). This annual, monthlong effort focuses on advocacy and education to stop dating abuse before it starts.

The 2024 theme for TDVAM is “Love Like That.” Selected by the love is respect Youth Council, “Love Like That,” illuminates what “that” means regarding healthy and unhealthy relationships. We know that love is more than a feeling; no matter how you define it, it is essential to ensure you are on the same page with your partner about the definitions and boundaries of your relationship. Teens and young adults express their love for one another in many ways, which differ from person to person or community. All expressions of love are valid. However, the essential aspect of “Love Like That” calls on us all to create a world of positive actions to express and show healthy love in numerous ways.

Upcoming events and programs

Centre Safe’s outreach and education team is hitting the road this month and beyond to raise awareness and education on the issues impacting our community. Join Centre Safe at a variety of events and programs this month and in spring.

Smarter Parents, Safer Kids Virtual Workshop

Noon-2 p.m. Feb. 19

This is a one time, 2-hour workshop that helps prepare caregivers for tough conversations with their youth —covering topics like healthy child sexual development, improving communication, and fostering more protective environments. The workshop is geared toward parents, caregivers, and others who worth with you age 0-18. For more information, visit ccysb.com/project-safe-and-smart/.

Love or Not? panel discussion (virtual)

6-7 p.m. Feb. 27

Join A Journey to You, Centre Safe, and Youth Service Bureau for a free virtual panel to learn about youth dating violence, including warning signs, safe ways to intervene, and how to offer support. E-mail reception@aJourneyToYou.com to register.

Open Ride Night at Woodward PA

4-9 p.m. March 1

Woodward PA is hosting an Open Ride Night with a portion of ticket sales going to support Centre Safe. This event is open to members of the public of all ages. For more information, visit www.woodwardpa.com/camps-and-programs/events.

E-mail edteam@centresafe.org for more information on the programs. You can also contact the team to learn more about requesting programs on healthy relationships, consent, and more for your classroom, workplace, or organization.

Housing Summit to Address Housing Insecurity in Region

St. Mark Lutheran Church Snydertown will host an online housing summit Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. on Zoom and Facebook Live (@stmarksnydertown). The summit will feature resources from Centre and Clinton counties working to address housing insecurity in our region. To submit questions, get the Zoom link, and/or for more information, email stmarksnydertown@gmail.com or call 814-383-4882.

Whether you are attending events or donating your time, talents, or treasures, know that when you can help spread the word, show kindness to others, and/or contribute to worthwhile organizations, you really are making a difference in this world. Keep it up!