Safe Teen Program
Youth Program Cincinnati, OH
Healthy Visions engages students with topics that are relevant to them. Our 5- day programming provides lessons, discussion, and activities that equip our students with healthy decision-making skills. With these skills students are empowered to make better choices and pursue stronger relationships leading to a happier, healthier, and more hopeful future.
Topics We Discuss
Self-Esteem and Stress Management
Healthy Visions believes that every teen is loveable and valuable. In this module, we discuss the importance of having healthy, high self-esteem. We help students to recognize their value, to identify their desires, and to dream big for a brighter future. We equip students with tools that empower them to set manageable goals and we give them practical insights that help them to better optimize and prioritize their time. We educate on healthy coping practices that reduce stress. Finally, we encourage youth to pursue optimal health by making wise choices and avoiding risky behaviors. Healthy Visions emphasizes with youth, knowing that the real risk to such behaviors is that they often only add stress to their lives, lower their self-esteem, and stand in the way of the future they truly desire for themselves.
Technology Talk
The Internet and social media are amazing tools that can enrich our lives if we use the tools properly. In this module, we educate students about the dangers of social media, while giving them insights on the constructive uses of technology that can empower them to pursue their dreams. We discuss the dangers of posting inappropriately, harming others through cyberbullying, and going online without taking necessary privacy precautions. We encourage our students to THINK, only posting things that are Truthful, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, and Kind. Finally, we empower students with best practices that will help them to not just navigate school successfully, but also increase their marketability for colleges and future employers in the job market.
Healthy Decision Making Concerning Sexual Activity
Healthy Visions offers sex education into the classroom as a supplemental resource program taught by SRAE (Sexual Risk Avoidance Education) Certified, Youth-Serving Professionals. We provide this education through evidence-based curricula that use medically accurate data. This program encourages students to pursue optimal health by avoiding teen sexual activity. This education is following recommendations provided by the CDC, which states that Abstinence from vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse is the only 100% effective way to prevent HIV, other STDs, and pregnancy. (Source: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/sexualbehaviors/index.htm).
Our emphasis on avoiding teen sexual activity is NEVER presented with scare tactics and has no shame-based or traumatizing content. Our overall approach to sexual education is holistic. We provide medically accurate information concerning STD’s and Contraceptives. We also equip students with information that helps them to identify and communicate Consent or a lack of Consent. We finish this program by discussing the emotional influences of sexual activity, and the potential risks they may pose to teens.
Relationships & Communication
We believe that every teenager is worthy of love and respect. Through this module, we empower students to take control of their lives by prioritizing healthy relationships, exercising caution with unhealthy relationships, and separating themselves from abusive relationships. The lesson focuses primarily on dating relationships, but the discussions expand to healthy decision making concerning other types of relationships. Relationships such as friendships, family, and professional relationships. We facilitate activities that equip students with effective communication and boundary-setting skills that help them to nurture their relationships. We also assist students by helping them to identify when a relationship has become toxic or abusive. Healthy Visions equips youth with some practical steps to take to break up, create separation from the abuser, and find resources that will help them transition into a healthier life with more firm, appropriate boundaries.
Bullying & Conflict Resolution
Healthy Visions believes all students are worthy of respect. Unfortunately, many students do not feel respected in their day-to-day life because of a culture of drama, bullying, and unproductive conflict. In this presentation, we teach students what communication looks like when it is healthy and productive, what it looks like when it isn’t. We encourage them to take appropriate action when they are being bullied or when they witness bullying. We do this by equipping them with information, strategies, and tools that help them to communicate more clearly, effectively, and with more assertiveness. After we have established a solid foundation, we discuss bullying and social drama: The different forms it may take (whether in the classroom or online), and appropriate ways to respond that will empower students and de-escalate unhealthy conflict and social drama. We inspire our students by reminding them that since they are all worthy of respect, bullying should not be the norm within their community. We remind them to be proactive; it is not enough to simply react to bullying. Students need to be empowered to create a culture of kindness, respect, and trust that fosters community and uproots bullying at the source.