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School-Based Programs of My Sisters' Place
In 1981, MSP became the first organization in Westchester County to offer a school-based
curriculum to address domestic violence and teen dating abuse. Our Domestic Violence
Education and Prevention program (DVEP) has four components:
- Classroom Presentations – DVEP Educators visit the classrooms of middle and high
school students at the request of teachers to provide 2-day presentations offering information and education
about teen dating violence.
- Individual Counseling – DVEP Educators meet with students who request individual
sessions, or they refer clients to appropriate services.
- Psycho-educational Groups –At teachers’ request our educators provide specialized
longer-term group sessions to explore students’ issues and concerns about teen dating
violence in greater depth.
- Students Advocating for Equality in Relationships (S.A.F.E.R.) – Students who are
interested in improving their community can volunteer in S.A.F.E.R. where they learn
about teen dating violence and then educate their peers about how to have healthy
relationships. S.A.F.E.R. members also participate in community service projects
to better the lives of victims of domestic violence and their children living in
MSP’s shelters.
MSP’s School Based Programs have achieved great success. Most recently:
- Over 700 presentations were made in over 70 middle
schools, high schools and community groups, reaching over 8,000 students.
- DVEP reached out to all of the high schools that have
Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) clubs and customized the curriculum to specifically
address the unique dynamics of same-sex teen dating violence.
- "One in Four", an educational magazine for high school
students with a focus on teen dating violence, was published.
- In late August of 2005, the Westchester County cable
news station, News 12, aired a special 2-day story on domestic violence entitled
"When Love Hurts", hosted by Juri Tatsuuma. As a part of this special, morning reporter
Lisa Salvadorini interviewed DVEP Coordinator Heather Storer. As a result of this
segment, many new schools reached out to the DVEP requesting presentations and information.
- In celebration of Women’s History Month in 2006, the
Journal News published a Newspaper-In-Education supplement entitled "Relationship
Talk", written by S.A.F.E.R. students and staff about the issues of teen dating
abuse.
- On October 24th, 2005, S.A.F.E.R. members participated
in "Walk With Me", a domestic violence awareness rally and march at Concordia College.
Three S.A.F.E.R. members also brought their parents to this event.
- In January, 2006, S.A.F.E.R. was awarded a National
Football League Junior Community Quarterback Award, which "honors high school and
college aged students who exemplify leadership, dedication, creativity and a commitment
to improving the communities in which they live through volunteerism."
Kayla K., a Junior at Westlake High School said this about S.A.F.E.R.:
I believe it is important for other kids to join SAFER because it helps the community
learn about domestic violence and informs people about how to stop domestic violence
from happening. SAFER offers students the opportunity to be a part of something
special by helping women who need support. We planted flowers at the women’s shelter
and participated in the “Love Shouldn’t Hurt” conference. Overall, SAFER is a wonderful
program.
Dawn Marinich, a health teacher from Fox Lane High School wrote this note to Sharon
Zetter, one of MSP’s DVEP Educators:
Once again thank you very much for coming to Fox Lane High School with your presentation!
As I told you, it is especially nice to see some students who never speak up in
class, open up to you! It is so nice to have a program like My Sister's Place to
come into the schools and further educate the students on such an important topic.
Thank you for your time and effort! It was much appreciated and I look forward to
seeing you again in the spring.
For more information about MSP’s DVEP, please call our MSP’s Yonkers Administrative Office
at (914) 963-6701.
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