Love is respect – National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline

Volunteer Appreciation Week was a blast! Everyone enjoyed the different craft activities and delicious treats we had prepared. On Friday, our volunteers from Lockhart High School were able to join us and we decorated cupcakes with icing and sprinkles and made some more magazine bowls and painted flower pots. Katy L., a volunteer since April 2009 was awarded a gift certificate from Mint Salon for having logged in the most hours last year.  Katie H., also a volunteer since April 2009 was awarded a gift certificate to Shoreline Grill for contributing over 75 hours of her time to loveisrespect last year. Iman M., a volunteer since December 2009, was awarded a necklace for contributing the most hours in a one month period. We are so fortunate to have an amazing group of people who continously dedicate so much of their time to loveisrespect and to the thousands of teens and young adults who call us for help! Thank you to all of our volunteers! We also want to thank Shoreline Grill, Mint Salon, Yoga Yoga, Froyoyo, Amy’s Ice Cream and HEB for helping us make this a fun week! Check out some more photos from the week after the jump. Read more…

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In honor of National Volunteer Appreciation Week we wanted to give a big shout out to all of our Peer Ambassadors who have been working very hard since we met in Dallas back in October of 2009. Our Peer Ambassadors have been raising awareness about teen dating abuse at their schools and in their communities by hosting block parties, starting clubs, giving presentations & leading  workshops. 

Shelby, a Peer Ambassador from California, has prepared presentations for the health classes at her school.  She has also requested pamphlets from the local domestic violence shelters to hand out to all the local high schools.  She is also thinking of leading a Saturday workshop in her community open to all the public to promote healthy relationships.  She has also started a club at her school to educate her peers on the dynamics of teen dating abuse.  In this photo,  Shelby is recruiting more members for the club at her school.

admin peer ambassador focus

Happy National Volunteer Appreciation Week! We are so grateful to have such amazing volunteers at loveisrespect and truly appreciate all the wonderful things they do. In honor of this week we are rewarding our volunteers with gifts and fun craft activities. We started off on Monday with a fun art project. Our volunteers got to paint flower pots and make record bowls. On Wednesday we are are going to make magazine bowls and eat chocolate fondue, on Friday we are decorating cupcakes and Saturday will be spent making sundaes! We would like to thank a few local companies for their generous donations: Tiff’s Treats, Froyoyo in Westlake, Amy’s Ice Cream, Yoga Yoga, HEB, Shoreline Grill and Mint Salon. Check out some photos after the jump and be sure to check back in everday this week because we will be adding more as we go along.

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admin general, volunteers

A Day to Shine: Fashions Morning to Night was a huge success. The event raised lots of money for loveisrespect and everyone had a great time. Both the morning and evening events were well attended and Judge Jeanine Pirro delivered a great message to attendees. The fashion show was spectacular and wowed the crowds. Total money raised will be announced soon but in the mean time check out video from the event after the jump. Thank you to everyone who attended or participated in this amazing event!

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Men Rally for Change, an organization dedicated to speaking up for safe communities and healthy relationships and strengthening men’s involvement in ending violence against women held a rally and march this past weekend. The organization which is under the umbrella of SafePlace’s Expect Respect Program in Austin, TX held the rally as part of SafePlace’s Field Day and Festival. It was a fun day of competition, activities and prizes as well as fundraising in support of SafePlace’s services for those affected by sexual and domestic violence. loveisrespect was proud to partner up with this worthy organization and take part in the rally and march. Click here to check out News 8 Austin’s coverage of the event. Additional footage and photos from the rally are available after the jump. Read more…

admin Media, awareness, news

My name is Nicci and I have been working for loveisrespect since its launch in Feburary 2007. When I was informed that there was a teen helpline opening up I jumped on the opportunity immediately because I think it’s really important that there is a resource available for teens and to also educate teens about the differences between healthy and unhealthy relationships. It is very rewarding to assess real situations and solve and provide resources accordingly. I think that one of the big problems facing teens today is the lack of education on this issue. To know that I am helping spread the word and educating teens all over the country makes me think that only positive things can come from this helpline.

admin peer advocate focus