February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM). Did you know? About 1 in 3 teens experience physical or emotional abuse before they turn 18. NEWS, helps Napa youth learn about healthy relationships and uplifts them to build safe and positive connections.

We’re excited the 2023 theme for TDVAM is “Be About It”. Selected by the national #loveisrespect Youth Council, “Be About It” is a continuation of last year’s theme, “Talk About It.” This year during TDVAM, we’re unapologetically about education, engagement, and empowerment and we’re here to amplify the voices of teens and young adults and those who support them by uplifting positive, healthy, and safe relationships.

Here at NEWS we plan a busy month of prevention activities and presentations. This year we will be holding #orange4love tabling events at American Canyon Middle, Unidos Middle, New Tech High, Vintage High, RLS Middle, and Calistoga Junior-Senior High. Many of these events are coordinated with school clubs, youth groups, and after school programs. 

Listen to KVON 1440AM and KVYN 99.3FM radio for our ads in English and Spanish, and don't forget to check out our social media posts throughout the month on Facebook and Instagram!

Remember if you or someone you love needs support or advice we have our confidential YOUthMatter Healthy Relationship Coaching that can be accessed at your local Middle/High school Wellness Centers. Click HERE for more information.

In gratitude,

Carla Andrade-Maston, Youth Prevention Services Manager

Orange4Love Conchas at La Cheve!

Join our #orange4love partner, La Cheve Bakery and Brews, at 376 Soscol Ave in Napa, and grab an orange concha to show your support! La Cheve will be baking orange conchas thoughout the month of February (Heart-shaped on Valentine’s Day!) to bring awareness to Teen Dating Violence. So stop by La Cheve during February and pick some up!

Hi! I’m Karla Salazar Martinez and I’m the new Youth Services Advocate at NEWS. I was born in Guadalajara, Mexico and raised in St. Helena. I attended Napa Valley College and Cal State East Bay, graduating in 2021 with a Bachelor’s in Spanish and a minor in Business Administration. I began working at NVUSD as a community and parent liaison and worked in the Wellness Centers at two high schools. I was able to work alongside different partners of NVUSD and that is how I met Carla and learned about NEWS. I decided to take a leap and join the NEWS team as the Bilingual Youth Prevention/Education Advocate. This past October I held our first Youth Domestic Violence Awareness Month campaign and will now continue to host these annually! I facilitate healthy relationship workshops, presentations at schools, and youth outreach events. I’m excited to work here at NEWS alongside Carla to help expand and grow our YOUthMatter program for our community.

Make a resolution to become a sustaining member of NEWS!