Youth Services and Prevention

Advocating for what youth need. Uplifting youth who lead.

On this page:

Meet the Staff
FAQ about Teen Dating Violence
Teen Power and Control Wheel
Safety Plan
Resources
Youth Services
Prevention Education for Youth
Get Involved!

MEET THE STAFF

Joslyn Juarez
Joslyn Juarez

JOCELYN JUAREZ (she/her/hers)

Title: Youth & Family Advocate

Next Door Solutions Program: Support Services

What’s that mean? I provide individual support, peer counseling, and appropriate learning to children, youth, and families. 

So, what do you do?

  • self-sufficiency services
  • assist families with school-related requests and supplies
  • assist parenting survivors with parenting questions
  • provide resources, advocacy, information, referrals, and crisis intervention services 
  • teen support group (Teen Talk) for youth ages 10-14 & 15-18.

Got questions or ideas? Email me at: jjuarez@nextdoor.org

MEGAN SCHNABEL (they/them/theirs)

Title: Youth Coordinator

Next Door Solutions Program: Prevention

What’s that mean? Our program at Next Door Solutions provides prevention education and outreach to the community. My position works with youth specifically, mostly middle and high schoolers.

So, what do you do? I can host workshops and presentations on different topics (dating, mental health, etc.) and make social media content. I connect with other organizations and leaders in the community. Pretty much anything that might benefit youth, help them learn and become strong leaders!

Got questions or ideas? Email me! mschnabel@nextdoor.org

Megan 1
Megan 2

WHAT IS TEEN DATING VIOLENCE?

Teen Dating Violence (TDV) is when one partner uses words, behaviors, and tactics to maintain power and control over their partner.

  • These words, behaviors, and tactics can be subtle or obvious. They can often be physical, emotional, psychological, or sexual (see Power and Control Wheel). They can cause the partner being harmed to feel anxious, fearful, angry, hopeless, or a variety of negative emotions.
  • We use the word “partner” because the person being harmed, and the person harming their partner, can be any gender, sexuality, or cultural identity. The relationship does not have to be official (ex. “boyfriend” or “girlfriend”) or exclusive, or sexual, to be considered abusive.

Statistics about TDV (source)

1 in 3 young people will be in an abusive or unhealthy relationship.

  • 33% of adolescents in America are victim to sexual, physical, verbal, or emotional dating abuse.
  • Roughly 1.5 million U.S. high school boys & girls admit to being hit or physically harmed in the last year by someone they are romantically involved with.
  • Teens who suffer dating abuse are subject to long-term consequences like alcoholism, eating disorders, promiscuity, thoughts of suicide, & violence behavior.
  • 50% of young people who experience rape or physical or sexual abuse will attempt to commit suicide.

What are the warning signs of an unhealthy or abusive relationship? (source)

  • Intensity: very extreme feelings and over-the-top behavior that feels overwhelming.
  • Possessiveness: jealous to a point where they try to control who you spend time with and what you do.
  • Manipulation: tries to control your decisions, actions or emotions, often in subtle or passive-aggressive ways.
  • Isolation: keeps you away from friends, family, other people or sources of support.
  • Sabotage: purposely ruins your reputation, achievements, or success.
  • Belittling: does and says things to make you feel bad about yourself.
  • Guilting: makes you feel responsible for their actions, feelings, or situations that are out of your control.
  • Volatility: has strong, unpredictable reactions – often overreactions to small things –  that make you feel scared, anxious, confused or intimidated.
  • Deflecting Responsibility: repeatedly makes excuses for their unhealthy behavior.
  • Betrayal: someone is disloyal or acts in a dishonest way with the intention of hurting you.

Why don’t people just break up with or leave their partner?

  • Sometimes, more often than not, it’s not that easy.
    There are a lot of reasons someone might stay in a relationship, and a lot of barriers that make “just leaving” really hard. Feelings of love, affection, and attachment are powerful and valid. People often think they might not find anyone else, and have very low self esteem that can even make them think they deserve to be treated poorly (the truth: no one deserves that). But those thoughts are hard to ignore, especially if your partner is constantly putting you down. Feeling afraid that your partner will hurt you, someone you love, or themselves is another big risk of trying to leave. Then there’s the pressure from friends, family, or community to stay with this person – especially if that person acts differently in front of others. Some people might not recognize that what’s happening to them is abuse, and many people don’t know how to get help.

What are my rights as a youth/minor?

  • If you are over 12 years old, you have the right to advocate for yourself. You have the right to receive therapy services without parent/guardian permission if you are over 12 years old. You also have the right to apply for a restraining order against the person harming you. You can receive both of these services through Next Door Solutions.

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TEEN POWER AND CONTROL WHEEL

This wheel demonstrates the issues of domestic violence that are specific in teenage relationships. It emphasizes the signs of anger/emotional abuse, using social status, intimidation, minimizing/denying/blaming, threats, sexual coercion, and isolation/exclusion, and peer pressure from which violence surfaces.

*Abuse can be difficult to identify and understand, and every situation looks a little different.*

WHAT IS A SAFETY PLAN?

A safety plan is a personalized strategy to remove yourself from dangerous/potentially dangerous situations, including unhealthy/abusive relationships.

Build your own path to safety:

  • Interactive safety planning tool: You will be asked a series of questions to help you identify your safety options. You can use this tool on your own, or you can use it with a friend or an adult you trust.
  • Internet safety (email, cellphone, social media): Technology and the Internet are powerful tools for anyone experiencing domestic violence. Ensure your safety online by learning tips on how to protect your information and how to use alternative resources.

RESOURCES

Amaze: AMAZE takes the awkward out of sex ed. Real info in fun, animated videos that give you all the answers you actually want to know about sex, your body and relationships.

loveisrespect.org: Learn about healthy/unhealthy relationships or contact a peer advocate by texting “LOVEIS” to 22522 or calling 1-866-331-9474.

National Domestic Violence Hotline: call 1.800.799. SAFE (7233) or TEXT “START” to 88788 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, the National Domestic Violence Hotline provides essential tools and support to help survivors of domestic violence so they can live their lives free of abuse.

National Suicide Prevention: If you’re in crisis and need support, please call or text 988 to be connected with a trained, caring counselor. You can also chat online at 988lifeline.org/chat.

One Love: empower yourself with the tools and resources you need to see the signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships.

SafeChat Silicon Valley: Text Helpline: 1-833-488-1236 chat with an advocate to obtain support with accessing resources (legal aid, counseling, basic needs, etc) or to talk about what’s going on in your relationship and what to do next.

Teen Link: Helpline: Chat online or text daily at 1-866-TEENLINK (833-6546) with a youth crisis specialist about relationships, stress, depression or any other issues you’re facing. Calls and chats are confidential.

YWCA: For immediate in-person crisis assistance and counseling services, contact the 24-hour Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Human Trafficking Crisis Support Line at (800) 572-2782.

Teen Talk Flyer 2023

YOUTH SERVICES

What is Teen Talk?

  • Teen talk is free and confidential for youth: ages 10-18 years old. 
  • It is a safe space for youth who have experienced or witnessed domestic violence. Youth are encouraged to join if they want to learn about domestic violence and how to help others. 

Common topics:

  • Healthy and unhealthy relationships
  • Communication 
  • Conflict resolution
  • Self-esteem
  • Setting boundaries
  • Stress relief 

How to connect to receive services:

Youth and Family Support Services

What is it?

  • individual support, peer counseling, and appropriate learning to children, youth and families who have experienced domestic violence. The Youth and Family advocate provides emotional and practical support to the children/teens and their parents. Local resources are provided to meet the needs of youth and their parents.
  • How to connect?

PREVENTION EDUCATION FOR YOUTH

Coaching Boys into Men + Athletes as Leaders

  • Coaching Boys into Men (CBIM) is a violence prevention program that engages high school athletic coaches to help shape the attitudes and behaviors of young male athletes. Above all, it teaches young men respect for women — and that violence does not equal strength in and off the field.

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  • Athletes as Leaders (AAL) is a program for high school athletes on girls’ sports teams. The program aims to empower youth to challenge stereotypes actively, promote healthy relationships, and create a safe and welcoming community for all.

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Are you a student-athlete interested in these programs? Tell your coaches and reach out to us!

Presentations, Workshops, and Outreach

  • Next Door Solutions can offer presentations and workshops to meet the needs of you and your class, club, or community. Pick from a variety of topics including NDS services, Healthy Relationships, Domestic Violence or related/intersectional issues. Fill out our request form if you’re interested in a presentation!
  • Want Next Door Solutions to table at your school or community event? We can bring information, materials, and fun merch. Fill out our request form if you have an event you’d like us to table at!

NDS Youth Conference

  • Next Door Solutions’ Prevention Program hosts virtual conferences for youth interested in learning about healthy relationships and dating violence prevention 

Our next youth conference will be in May 2023 (details TBA). Stay tuned for updates, announcements, and registration information!

GET INVOLVED

A Call to Action: We believe that youth are key to ending the cycle of violence in our communities. By educating, empowering, and advocating for your

  • Volunteer Opportunities

    • Interested in volunteering with Next Door Solutions? Fill out this form and we’ll get back to you!

  • Youth Leadership Opportunities

    • Interested in doing activism work in your school or community? Join NDS and their youth leaders cohort! Spend time with other youth, discuss topics and issues you care about, and learn skills to better support you and your community. 

  • Upcoming Campaigns and Events

    • Check this section for updates on awareness events and campaigns like Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month!

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