Working with teens can be a challenge. They have an overabundance of energy. Fortunately they also have a ton of creativity. My local group was working on a community-wide campaign, which included posters illustrating the 10 early warning signs of abuse. The teens knew just the right images and words to use to develop the posters. However, they didn't quite have the technical expertise to complete them in the amount of time available. I contacted the Public Relations Department of the YWCA of Rock County and they quickly came to the rescue. They were thrilled to work with the teens and provided positive feedback to them. Together we created an eye-catching poster series that impacted youth at our school. In addition, the posters have inspired other organizations throughout the state to enlist the creativity and energy of teens to advocate in their communities and take on the silent epidemic of teen dating abuse.
My first encounter with the YWCA was as a client. My daughters and I stayed at the women's shelter when leaving a DV relationship. They counseled and supported me, giving me back my confidence and self-esteem. After several years of healing, I returned as a volunteer to help other women see there is a way out. Eventually I served on the Board of Directors trying in another way to give back all that the YWCA staff had given me. The YWCA Rock County empowered me to be a strong independent woman unafraid to stand up and use my voice to promote change!