YOUthMatter
The mission of the Prevention, Education & Outreach Program is to provide students, families and our community support and tools to improve relationships. Additionally, we provide coping strategies and resources to help youth navigate and overcome difficult situations. The goal is not only to inform but to empower those in our community to live a life free of violence.
Primary prevention is an “upstream” shift from most of the current efforts in California that have been dedicated to helping victims after the damage is already done. NEWS utilizes sexual violence prevention strategies based on research showing they are effective, and that domestic violence and rape can be prevented. NEWS aims to engage youth in sexual violence primary prevention to improve knowledge and behaviors related to: healthy relationships and conflict resolution skills; communication with family and friends; becoming positive role models for their peers and community; bystander intervention; gender equality, oppression, media influence and cultural competence; and mentoring younger youth program members.
The NEWS YOUth Matter program is proud of the outreach it has done in the school community which allows for facilitation of targeted prevention and education to our young people. Through partnerships and formal Memorandums of Understanding, we are able to leverage our relationships with school districts, school-based wellness centers and social workers, family resource centers, parent-teacher associations, and parent liaison groups to deliver vitally important prevention education to the people who need it most – Napa Valley youth.