Heart to Heart Project
The CARES Foundation generously awarded us a grant to teach and support more El Dorado County teens and their families on healthy relationships, HIV prevention, and nonviolent communication skills through our Heart to Heart Project. Our Heart to Heart Project is a HIV and abuse primary prevention, positive skill building, multi-session program for youth in El Dorado County on topics and issues that constitute healthy intimate relationships.
With AB 329, the California Healthy Youth Act, schools are now required to provide knowledge and skills for students to form healthy, safe relationships, as well as provide youth with the knowledge and skills necessary to protect their sexual and reproductive health from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. This project does both.
Parent Participation
In addition to youth receiving interactive presentations, school staff and students’ parents were trained on similar skill building tools and knowledge. In doing so, youth received positive reinforcement both at school and home.
Gay Straight Alliance
In addition to presenting in middle and high school classes, we are helping facilitate GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) clubs at three local high schools.
Two students were so happy when they found out about the GSA Club they cried and have repeatedly said, “Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for starting this club. This has changed my life! ” The club has not been in existence for a number of years, so students feel a sense of security and connectedness to their school they haven’t felt before. Another student stated, “We are so thankful to LEC for helping us strengthen and destigmatize our club.”
With AB 329, the California Healthy Youth Act, schools are now required to provide knowledge and skills for students to form healthy, safe relationships, as well as provide youth with the knowledge and skills necessary to protect their sexual and reproductive health from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. This project does both.
Parent Participation
In addition to youth receiving interactive presentations, school staff and students’ parents were trained on similar skill building tools and knowledge. In doing so, youth received positive reinforcement both at school and home.
Gay Straight Alliance
In addition to presenting in middle and high school classes, we are helping facilitate GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) clubs at three local high schools.
Two students were so happy when they found out about the GSA Club they cried and have repeatedly said, “Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for starting this club. This has changed my life! ” The club has not been in existence for a number of years, so students feel a sense of security and connectedness to their school they haven’t felt before. Another student stated, “We are so thankful to LEC for helping us strengthen and destigmatize our club.”
Students are learning leadership skills in conjunction with learning how to market the TRUTH Campaign. The GSAs have even held a couple events. In November, World Kindness Day was celebrated on campuses by club members making colorful posters with post-it notes filled with kind words like “hope”, “understanding”, “compassion”, “empathy”, “joy”, and more, for students to give to other students to help spread kindness and caring for one another. They also made posters titled, “Take One and Pass it On” with strips for students to take that said, “You make me laugh, you make a difference to me, I believe in you” and more.
At lunch time, members also passed out candy – Candy with Kindness! In addition, members held Friday Night Movie Night and showed Jumanji, discussed the TRUTH Campaign, and educated attendees on HIVAIDS prevention.
Taking it to the Community and spreading the TRUTH! GSA club members are earning credits by helping present the TRUTH Campaign to community service clubs and participate in local health and wellness fairs.
Help us spread the TRUTH by contacting us and getting resource materials for your school, group, or neighborhood!!
Special Thanks
We would like to thank The CARES Foundation for their trust and support in us – a new tenacious nonprofit with heart and structure that wants to help our community members understand the root of healthy relationships is nonviolent communication. Visit www.thecaresfoundation.org to learn more about their important work.
A very special thank you goes to Lili Carbone Joy from Carbone Joy Consulting Services for her relentless support and advocacy on our behalf. She consults with The CARES Foundation and the non-profit (receiving the grant) and is truly the best liaison any nonprofit could ask for because she cares about prevention and people alike. Our Heart to Heart Program is dedicated to all of her efforts.
At lunch time, members also passed out candy – Candy with Kindness! In addition, members held Friday Night Movie Night and showed Jumanji, discussed the TRUTH Campaign, and educated attendees on HIVAIDS prevention.
Taking it to the Community and spreading the TRUTH! GSA club members are earning credits by helping present the TRUTH Campaign to community service clubs and participate in local health and wellness fairs.
Help us spread the TRUTH by contacting us and getting resource materials for your school, group, or neighborhood!!
Special Thanks
We would like to thank The CARES Foundation for their trust and support in us – a new tenacious nonprofit with heart and structure that wants to help our community members understand the root of healthy relationships is nonviolent communication. Visit www.thecaresfoundation.org to learn more about their important work.
A very special thank you goes to Lili Carbone Joy from Carbone Joy Consulting Services for her relentless support and advocacy on our behalf. She consults with The CARES Foundation and the non-profit (receiving the grant) and is truly the best liaison any nonprofit could ask for because she cares about prevention and people alike. Our Heart to Heart Program is dedicated to all of her efforts.