Last spring, Mark attended one of NEWS’ YOUthMatter Healthy Relationships 101 presentations in his 9th grade classroom. During the lesson, he recognized the behaviors labeled as abusive, and ones that his father was taking against his mother. He brought this revelation home and shared it with his mother, that she didn’t have to put up with it, and that there was help. This is one of the bravest things a child can do.

This was just the little push his mother, Elizabeth, needed to make a change for herself and her four children. She took her son’s advice and called the NEWS Help Line. NEWS Help Line advocates gave her the assistance she needed to be able to leave – safety planning, gift cards, and emergency hotel vouchers. Our Help Line advocates reassured her that she knew what was best for her family.

Over the next few months, Elizabeth met with NEWS advocates several times about various needs, such as help with car registration, food vouchers to feed her children, and shelter at our confidential safe house. Here, she and her children were safe to begin their lives anew.

Today, Mark meets regularly with Carla, our YOUthMatter Healthy Relationship coach. She encourages him that he did the right thing, and that, although this adventure is scary and new, he is not alone. Carla is there with him every step of the way. What is more, he is empowered to build relationships in a healthy way. As he is the oldest to his three younger siblings, he is a positive role model and effectively ending the cycle of violence in his family.

We are encouraged by Mark's story as it shows how one-time encounters can plant a long-term seed – AND that we can end violence in one generation!

The names have been changed to protect their privacy.

If you are experiencing abuse or would just like some information, please call our help line, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Everyone deserves a healthy relationship. Instead of buying that $20 chocolate box this Valentine’s Day, spread the love (and not the size of your belly) and donate that $20 to NEWS this Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. It is healthier for you, and healthier for our teens! 

Make a resolution to become a sustaining member of NEWS!