Please note: Entries within this blog may contain reference to instances of domestic abuse, dating abuse, sexual assault, abuse or harassment. At all times, Break the Cycle encourages readers to take whatever precautions necessary to protect themselves emotionally and psychologically. If you would like to speak with an advocate, please contact a 24/7 peer advocate at 866-331-9474 or text “loveis” to 22522.
Fall is an exciting time at Break the Cycle; we are busy helping youth activists complete their summer projects and begin new projects for the school year. This year our youth activists raised the bar of innovation by using technology to raise awareness of teen dating violence.
This summer, we were pleased to work with Chris Ballard, a high school student at Harvard Westlake. Chris not only raised nearly $2000 for Break the Cycle, he is launching his own website about teen dating violence in a matter of weeks. Break the Cycle staff provided guidance, but Chris envisioned and completed his own project. By combining his technical knowledge with a commitment to providing useful information to his peers, Chris became an inspiration to other youth looking to take a stand against teen dating violence.
Now that summer vacation is over, the peer helpers at the Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies are ready to get back to work. Last year they created a campaign, Unmask the Truth, to spread awareness about teen dating violence. Armed with posters, glossy post cards, buttons and stickers, the students are now completing the technology component of their campaign. Unmask the Truth is scheduled to launch before the New Year.
Break the Cycle engaged another talented group of young people, our interns, to use technology to meet our mission. Our summer interns have almost all left us, but a new crop is swelling their ranks. Like their predecessors, they are busy creating web content and tools. Look for the new, youth-generated features on breakthecycle.org and thesafespace.org.
-Published on September 17, 2007