On February 27, 2014, in Honor of Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month (February), The Coordinated Response Committee (CRC) a subcommittee of the Domestic Violence Council partnered with San Mateo County Juvenile Hall to provide special seminar and workshop to the adolescent boys ages 15-18 years of age. The focus was Building Hope and Healthy Relationships. The workshop, which highlighted intergenerational violence, helped to initiate a dialogue with the young men to increase awareness and to explore the impact of teen dating violence in our community. The CRC, which is comprised of members from Probation, CORA, The Keller Center, Healthy Homes, District Attorney’s Office, Pyramid Alternatives, Star Vista, Edgewood Kinship Program and Shalom Bayit, brought in a keynote speaker/facilitator, Ismael De Guzman, from San Francisco State University.
The workshop also featured speakers and activities from Healthy Homes and Probation. The workshop/presentation offered an opportunity for the young men to engage in discussion and to be educated on the topic of healthy relationships. The young men also were provided with resources, worked to develop coping skills, and learned how to identify and prevent intergenerational violence in their community. The event was followed by a question/answers opportunity and yummy snacks for all.
In attendance were CRC members, Deputy Chief Larry Silver and Juvenile Court Judge Lee. The CRC wishes to thank the hardworking Group Supervisors on duty, Institution Services Managers’ Bill Johnson and Chadie Galera along with Group Supervisor/Sound Engineer, Steve Mitchell