- Speaking Topics -
Abuse Prevention: Abuse is rampant in our culture. One in three teens experience some form of abuse in their dating relationships and 96% of teens report experiencing emotional or verbal abuse in their romantic relationships. Many young people don’t know the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships. Students will be able to identify the various forms of abuse, they will learn how to spot the red flags in people and in relationships, and how to prevent and overcome from destructive relationships.
Healthy Relationships and Dating: Many young people today lack hope that they can have lasting, fulfilling relationships. We give that hope back by helping students learn the foundations of healthy relationships, and the skills necessary to achieve these. Students learn the difference between love and infatuation, the power of saying no, how to give and receive love, and how to understand the difference between healthy and unhealthy dates.
The Influence of Culture and the Media: Right and wrong is not a black-and-white issue for young people today. The lines have been blurred, and the standards have shifted. Students will learn how to recognize and understand the various influences in their world: media, culture, sports, music. Students are challenged to think for themselves about the messages they are hearing, and encouraged to be confident in their own beliefs. Young people will become more effective critical thinkers, decision makers and leaders.
Communication Strategies: Students will learn how to communicate their own needs and feelings effectively, and how to communicate differing viewpoints without sabotaging relationships. Young people will increase their confidence by learning assertiveness skills, boundary setting and conflict resolution strategies.
The Steps of Intimacy: Instant money, instant food, instant entertainment, instant sex: our culture has lost the value of self regulation. Being able to delay gratification is a strength, and nowhere is that more critical than in dating relationships. True and genuine intimacy develops over a long period of time. This unit discusses the consequences of casual sex: the emotional, intellectual, social, spiritual, physical, and financial ramifications, and the foundational building blocks of healthy relationships.
Understanding the Opposite Sex: When we fail to recognize that we operate with different lenses and filters, men and women find themselves easily hurt, angry and frustrated with the opposite sex. In order for us to live and work together effectively, we need to understand the unique differences of the sexes, and to respect those differences. This unit addresses these issues, and explores how we can respect the uniqueness in men and women. Attention will be given to those in LGBTQ relationships as well, and the unique issues they face.
Bystander Intervention: What stops people from intervening in a dangerous or difficult situation? This unit helps students understand what barriers prevent them from intervening, and through interactive exercises, works to give students skills, confidence and strategies to intervene during unsafe circumstances.
Overcoming Toxic Relationships: Students will learn how to overcome from the confusing, chaotic and damaging effects of a destructive relationship. Participants will learn resiliency, healing, and empowerment as they move from hurt to hope and from chaos to confidence.
Finding Our Sparkle: For women’s groups, these workshops and classes help women identify areas they have lost their sparkle, and ways to get it back again. Topics include but are not limited to destructive relationships, healthy relationships, parenting, and empowerment for the many roles women have, including mothers, wives, friends and professionals.