I am steppin' Up with TPN's BE THE CHANGE TEAM and hope you will support my efforts.

In my role as a prevention educator at TPN, I have the honor, privilege and yes, sometimes the challenge, of teaching healthy relationships skills and abuse prevention to youth throughout Sullivan County. From talking with our youngest elementary students about privacy, boundaries and body safety, to complex conversations with high schoolers about consent, I get to witness the power of education and skill building to help shape young people's relationships.

In addition to our work in schools, this year we've also had many meaningful conversations with adults about signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships and becoming a trauma-sensitive community. We've expanded our outreach and collaboration with town libraries, faith communities, mental health organizations and other service providers.

We are working every day to help build strong relationships, schools and communities because we believe everyone deserves to be safe and respected.

It is a magical thing when you see that "lightbulb" moment-- when a child realizes that respecting someone's personal space means you are respecting their boundary....when a teen pauses to consider that new skills can interrupt a pattern of toxic relationships... when a young adult can answer the question "What makes a relationship healthy and strong?"...when a community partner says "I'm so glad to know about your services, I know someone who could use your help."

These are moments we have each day, each week through prevention education at TPN.

Would you consider being a partner in this very change-making and cycle-breaking work? Together we can impact future generations.

Kerry

PS

I won't be at this year's event as we celebrate Jaeda's graduation from Keene State College (go, Jaeda!!!!) but I will be with my team in spirit!