More than just a meeting; it’s a chance to reconnect.

Jerrica Davis, MPH

MAY 28, 2026

It’s hard to believe how long it’s been since remote work became our “new normal.” In a world where many of us have traded long commutes and water-cooler chats for Zoom fatigue and Slack pings, it can be easy to forget what made in-person work so valuable and why folks still light up at the chance to be together.

But in-person gatherings aren’t just a box to check or a grant deliverable to meet. They meet deep human needs that screens simply can’t replicate.

But in-person gatherings aren’t just a box to check or a grant deliverable to meet. They meet deep human needs that screens simply can’t replicate. Last month, True You Maryland held an in-person project-wide meeting for partners across the state that left everyone with more than just strategies and plans. We asked attendees, “What do you value about being together in person?” Here’s what they had to say.

“Human connection. Warmer conversations. Being in the same environment.”

Unsurprisingly, the top response was simply being around other people and the power of real human connection. Attendees shared that being in person makes them “feel less alone and more united” and that they value “sharing ideas, learning about each other, and hugs!”

There’s even a certain reunion feel to these meetings: “I value the opportunity to connect with former coworkers and people I haven’t seen in a while… being able to meet the people that I typically see on screen.” Being together allows us to bond and strengthen relationships in a way that virtual calls just don’t capture. One person simply said they value “laughs.” And honestly, same.

“Sense of community”

Remote work takes away those hallway chats and “stop by my desk” side conversations that help build community and foster belonging. When we’re all in the same space, we bring those moments back, whether it’s walking past an old colleague in between sessions or sitting with a new one at lunch. Attendees really loved “the in-between session chit chats and opportunities to get to know each other informally” and the “ease of connection, lack of distraction, and camaraderie.”

There is also something to be said about witnessing and supporting the work of your colleagues in real life, rather than just through a shared virtual presentation. As another attendee noted, “I value others’ input from their communities and the suggestions they bring to the group. The support from the entire group is fantastic!”

“More organic conversation”

Face-to-face settings unlock a different level of conversation, one with more depth and spontaneity.

Face-to-face settings unlock a different level of conversation, one with more depth and spontaneity. Sometimes the best conversations come from those unstructured moments—a random encounter at the coffee station or a follow-up chat after an engaging keynote presentation. As one attendee noted, being together allows “getting more in-depth than we can on a Zoom meeting,” with others adding that the “increased level of engagement and connection” was important to them.

Showing up together also lets everyone get out of their usual environment (whether at home or in an office) and focus on one thing, rather than worrying about the to-do list that’s now longer than a CVS receipt. Conversations become richer and more engaging when we’re sharing space with folks who are all on the same page.

“Sharing experiences”

Sure, we talk about our experiences on video calls all the time. But there’s something about sharing these stories with others face-to-face that adds an extra layer of connectedness among us and to our work. One partner noted that “making connections in person feels to me like it is more solid and productive,” while others added that they enjoy learning new ideas and taking them back to their individual settings. Another partner summed this up perfectly when they shared that they value “seeing everyone in person! Talking about their wins and their strides. Creating space for new ideas and creative solutions to shared challenges.” I love the moments where formal facilitation is no longer needed because the conversation has taken off—successes are being celebrated, problems are being solved, and no one wants to move on to the next part of the agenda because the discussion has gotten that good.

 One response captured the energy of the day perfectly: “I love being able to hear and learn what members of the team are implementing and having success with. I enjoy people, and being together always reminds me [of] what amazing people surround me in this room.” Truthfully, when I think about what I value most about in-person gatherings, this is it. Turns out, no remote work software has figured out how to replicate this energy (yet). But when it comes to being in a room with incredible people doing incredible work (and having fun while doing it!), I don’t think I’d be interested in that subscription anyway.

Photo By: Rawpixel.com

Jerrica is passionate about all things youth development, reproductive justice, and adolescent sexual and reproductive health. With experience in facilitating sexual health and social emotional learning programs for adolescent girls, she loves empowering young people and is excited to help others do the same. When she’s not dreaming of a better world for future generations, you can find Jerrica enjoying brunch with friends, binge-watching reality television and true crime documentaries, or having a Disney movie sing-along with her two young kiddos. Read more about Jerrica.

The post Why In-Person Work Still Matters appeared first on Healthy Teen Network.

C
heck out this video blog post, where April and Patricia discuss their shared identities as Southeast Asians, their cultural experiences, and family dynamics, through the lens of the hit movie Everything, Everywhere, All At Once that features a predominantly Asian cast, for Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. 

*Tip: If you want to make any jumps in our conversation, we have “chapters” saved in the video:

• 00:00 – Introduction 
• 01:09 – Background on May being AANHPI, MHAM, and Sex Ed for All Month 
• 04:08 – Movie Summary 
• 08:58 – Our Favorite Scenes from the Movie 
• 16:12 – Parents and “The Talk” 
• 21:15 – Language Barriers & Intergenerational Trauma 
• 35:15 – Last Thoughts  

References mentioned in video blog post:

• National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2024, April 26). Mental Health Awareness Month | NAMI. NAMI. https://www.nami.org/get-involved/awareness-events/mental-health-awareness-month/   
• Huynh, J., Chien, J., Nguyen, A. T., Honda, D., Cho, E. E., Xiong, M., … & Ngo, T. D. (2023). The mental health of Asian American adolescents and young adults amid the rise of anti-Asian racism. Frontiers in public health, 10, 958517. 
• Gilligan, C. (2023, June 13). Asian children least likely to receive mental health treatment: CDC Report | Healthiest Communities Health News | U.S. news. Asian Children Least Likely to Receive Mental Health Treatment, Report Shows. https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-06-13/asian-children-least-likely-to-receive-mental-health-treatment-cdc-report 

April “Kayuri” Lat is a Senior Manager for Innovation and Research. As project manager for the In/Tend Incubator Hub, she is dedicated to creating playful safe spaces, both online and offline, that respect young people’s autonomy to dream, fail, and learn together. If they’re not working, you can almost always find April in their studio, producing music, gaming, or crocheting. Read more about April.

Patricia is a curious learner who loves to ask questions and find patterns. If you look closer, you might see a literal light bulb above Patricia’s head when she sees a connection or realizes something in her research. Patricia loves using those insights to co-create changes— big or small— that make the world a better place. Having grown up in three different countries, Patricia sees the world differently and always makes time for travel. In her free time, Patricia can be found browsing offbeat Airbnbs or walking her sweet, black cat on a leash (yep —it’s one of Patricia’s proudest accomplishments). Read more about Patricia.

The post Celebrating AANHPI Month appeared first on Healthy Teen Network.

Here is your mission, should you choose to accept it:

Dive deep into county-level data to identify factors contributing to the sexual and reproductive health outcomes of young people in your community, identify leverage points to improve health outcomes, and execute a plan for positive change.

If you choose to accept your mission, proceed to the Instructions Section.

Instructions:

1. Gather county-level data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance (YRBS) and your state health department.
2. Pull key state and county-level health behavior and other data, including:
   • Demographic data as reported by respondents: age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, race, and ethnicity;
   • Health behaviors such as, but not limited to sexual health, mental health, violence, bullying among LGBTQ+ youth, substance use, housing stability, and food insecurity;
   • Outcome data such as state and county birth and STI rates; school enrollment, attendance, and graduation and graduation equivalency data; and, if useful, data related to post-secondary education and employment.
3. We strongly advise that you do not undertake this mission alone. Expand your crew by inviting the community to join the mission. Include folks who care about, interact with, and support young people, and those who live and work in the community. Consider:
   • Teachers, social workers, guidance counselors, school administrators, and higher education faculty,
   • Parents and guardians, and
   • Community members, civic leaders, faith leaders, and business owners who employ young people in the community now and in the future.
4. Facilitate your crew’s first work session. Review county-level health sexual and reproductive and other health behavior and outcome data.
5. Discuss the data in small teams using the following questions, and share with the entire crew afterward:
   • What was most surprising about the data? Why?
   • How do these data challenge your assumptions about adolescent health in your community?
   • Who else should we invite to be part of our crew?
   • What questions do you have for young people in the community?
   • What questions do you have for other key folks in the community?
   • Are there other county data or information (e.g., policies) that we didn’t consider that you’d like to explore?
6. Identify the contributing factors related to the health outcomes of youth in your community.
7. Determine which leverage points are most likely to result in the greatest movement toward improving youth health outcomes.
8. Build a plan with your crew.
9. Identify and invite additional crew members who will contribute to successful execution of the plan.
10. Fire up your crew and execute your plan!

One final note, your mission must be sustained and periodically replicated to ensure the plan is on course. Success will be measured by evidence of improved health outcomes among youth in your community.

After reviewing this document, if you believe you are fit for this mission and are willing to dive deep for the young people of today and future generations, welcome aboard!

If you are not ready to take on this mission, reflect on why that is and what you need to get ready. We are always looking for dedicated folks like yourself as candidates for future missions, maybe even one with a crew of young people from your community!

What’s it going to take to get you to say yes?

Acknowledgment: Special thanks to Annie Smith, PhD and Beth Marshall, PhD from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Center for Adolescent Health for their work developing True You Maryland’s County Systems Thinking Workshop (i.e., data dives). Thanks also goes to the entire True You Maryland team for executing this activity with our partners.

Content for this blog post is derived from “Fostering Systems Thinking for Adolescent Sexual Health in Rural Communities” (Smith, A. & Long-White, D., 2021, October) presented at the 2021 APHA Annual Meeting and Expo, and the “County Systems Thinking Workshop” (2020-2021).

Deborah Chilcoat, MEd, is the Director of our Capacity Building Department at Healthy Teen Network and is nationally recognized as a seasoned trainer and adolescent sexual and reproductive health expert. When home, she is savoring every moment with her incredibly fun family and their lovable dogs. Read more about Deb.

The post The Not-So-Top-Secret Mission to Improve Adolescent Health Outcomes appeared first on Healthy Teen Network.

When I first started working at Healthy Teen Network—now 3 years ago, almost to the day!—and started creating content for our social media channels, I quickly came to realize just how many national observances there that support advocacy for sexual and reproductive health care and education for young people.

While there are indeed some lists out there and quarterly resources with dates for observances and campaigns, we saw a gap: there was no comprehensive listing of these observances and campaigns, particularly with a focus on adolescent sexual and reproductive health. And we knew, for our communications and dissemination efforts, it’d be really great, to not just have a comprehensive list, but to make it super-accessible.

So, that’s where we ended up…we pull together the information and have made it easy to use because you can sync your calendar to it.  And now, we are so happy to share this tool with y’all!

This tool is for my fellow communications folks and interns in the field, for educators working with young people, and for anyone who wants easy-to-access information about recurring happenings in adolescent health—we’ve got your back.

National health observances and awareness campaigns are great opportunities to efficiently use and adapt existing content in support of the goal of promoting adolescent sexual health and well-being. You can even click on each observance and get links to resources and media kits!

Our 2024 Google calendar can be added to your calendar list, or you can bookmark the link to view the calendar at any time. This calendar is being continuously updated to include new information and events.

Get the Calendar

PHOTO CREDIT: Catherine Heath on Unsplash

Mariah brings an artistic lens to nonprofit communications in her role as Communications Designer. With the bulk of her experience working in social services and at affordable housing organizations—she has a passion for diving deeper into (and helping bridge the gap between) health care and housing. In her free time, Mariah can be found tending to her growing jungle of houseplants, making collage and textile art, reading Mary Oliver poems in nature, and experimenting with new vegetarian recipes. Read more about Mariah.

The post Stay in the Loop with our Shareable National Observances Calendar appeared first on Healthy Teen Network.

Have you ever walked into a health care facility and felt totally overwhelmed? Or been unsure how to talk to your health care provider about an issue you have? No matter who you are, facing something unknown can be anxiety-inducing. Especially if you are not confident in your ability to get the answers you need, are worried about being judged, or are intimidated by trying to translate medical terms or navigate your insurance.

I can’t remember how long my own Mom accompanied me on medical visits but thanks to her BS in Biochemistry and insistence that “parts are parts, and everyone has them,” I had some comfortability talking about my own body parts, could articulate my questions, and could understand most of what was discussed. Unfortunately, that confidence did not carry into college, and I routinely avoided having to deal with insurance, scheduling my own appointments, and remembering to get vaccinated (until I went home and received several exasperated lectures from my parents). In fact, I still sometimes struggle with anxiety that comes with going into a new medical office or seeing a new provider because I never know what kind of care or bedside manner I’m going to get.

Now if I, as an adult, get some level of anxiety, I can only imagine that youth would too. Clinics and providers who serve youth should really be focusing on making them feel comfortable and supported as they start to take a more active role in their own health.

Now if I, as an adult, get some level of anxiety, I can only imagine that youth would too. Clinics and providers who serve youth should really be focusing on making them feel comfortable and supported as they start to take a more active role in their own health.

At the beginning of the summer, True You Maryland hosted a training—led by the Adolescent Health Initiative—on how to take the level of youth-friendly services at a clinic from mid to stellar. This recorded session also includes the results of Wicomico County Youth Advisory Board’s “Photovoice Project,” which gathered their thoughts on the youth-friendliness of health services in their county. Some of the themes that surfaced from this project were:

• The desire to be alone with healthcare providers.
• Limited knowledge (if any) about where to go for mental health services.
• Not knowing their rights if accessing healthcare on their own.
• Fear that parents will find out.
• Not feeling that doctors/health care providers see them (i.e., the provider talks past them, and directs questions to their parent.)

Unfortunately, these statements are not surprising, but I have hope we can do better for our young people. So, how can we make these spaces youth-friendly? The Adolescent Health Initiative provided a short list during the training of some youth-friendly behaviors that include:

• Honoring confidentiality
• Being accommodating
• Avoiding the use of jargon
• Being approachable and non-judgmental
• Actively listening

Check out the recorded video of the training to learn more about how to implement these behaviors in a clinic setting. All young people deserve to feel safe, secure, and cared for at their clinic so they can thrive.

Check It Out

Allison Tomai Felsen is a Communications Manager for Healthy Teen Network who provides design and communications expertise for projects and manages our website. Allison and her husband are proud parents of two pups and three cats. Read more from Allison.

The post How Youth-Friendly is Your Clinic? appeared first on Healthy Teen Network.

As health educators, it’s likely that we’ll teach a lesson, or answer questions about, birth control for a classroom full of curious young people. They may want to know all about the types of birth control, the possible side effects someone may experience using them, and how and where to get birth control. I suspect we can answer all of these questions fairly easily because this topic is pretty basic in sex education, but…can we teach it in a way that is inclusive and gender inclusive?

Oftentimes, birth control is framed as only being for people who have the capacity get pregnant, and that leaves out so many students who could use the information for their health and safety.

We need to be mindful of our language to ensure that we’re reaching young people of all genders. Oftentimes, birth control is framed as only being for people who have the capacity get pregnant, and that leaves out so many students who could use the information for their health and safety.

Here are some concrete examples of how to teach about birth control methods in an inclusive and gender-inclusive manner:

Instead of saying, “During menstruation, females use feminine hygiene products,” we could say, “During menstruation, a person uses menstrual products.”

Why? Because not everyone who menstruates identifies as female.

Instead of saying “The pill is a good choice for women,” we could say “The pill is a good choice for people who have ovaries.”

Why? Because not everyone who has ovaries identify as or feels like a woman.

Instead of saying “Condoms are for preventing pregnancy,” we could say “Condoms can help to prevent pregnancy and STIs.”

Why? Because condoms offer dual protection and can be an option for someone who might not be too keen on hormones and still wants a non-hormonal way to prevent pregnancy and STIs.

Instead of saying “Birth control is only for men and women who are sexually active,” we could say “Birth control can be used by people who are sexually active and by people who are not sexually active.”

Why? Because birth control has many purposes beside preventing pregnancy and STIs. Some folks take birth control to support their hormones and even conditions like endometriosis.

Instead of saying “He wears the condom on his penis,” we could say “A condom can be placed on the penis or inside of the vagina.”

Why? Because there are external (male) condoms and internal (female) condoms that can be used with various bodies regardless of how they are labeled or marketed to folks.

By following these tips, we can help to ensure that our students feel seen and the information about birth control is relevant to them so that they can make informed decisions about their sexual health.

Still unsure how to be more inclusive teaching about birth control? Here are some additional resources to read:

• How Can I Use Gender-inclusive Language? by Planned Parenthood

• Birth Control Across the Gender Spectrum by Reproductive Health Access Project

One last thing, be sure to share this blog and resources with other educators—even if they are not teaching health or sex education—because the tips are universal. It doesn’t matter if someone teaches the ABCs or Physics, young people want to learn in classrooms with someone who honors their gender and respects them as who they are.

PHOTO CREDIT: Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition on Unsplash

Vanessa Geffrard is a life affirming sex educator residing in West Baltimore. Vanessa serves as Vice President of Education and Training at Planned Parenthood of Maryland. She is also founder of VagEsteem, a workshop series and podcast that encourages good and healthy sex through courageous conversation about love and sexuality.

The post Let’s Talk Inclusivity… in Birth Control! appeared first on Healthy Teen Network.

As part of its efforts to bring the very best sexual health education to Maryland youth,  True You Maryland, a program of the Maryland Department of Health, has championed ensuring sex ed is inclusive and affirming of all young people.

In a new two-part series, Vanessa Geffrard from Planned Parenthood Maryland explores the importance of tossing out the binary in favor of addressing the diverse needs of our students and how important it is to stay updated on what is happening in the world of birth control.

In a new two-part series, Vanessa Geffrard from Planned Parenthood Maryland explores the importance of tossing out the binary in favor of addressing the diverse needs of our students and how important it is to stay updated on what is happening in the world of birth control.

What does tossing out the binary mean?

Vanessa explains, we know it’s hard to foster authentic communication and confidently impart information when you’re constantly having to think about your words, but the more you practice, the more natural it will become. As educators, it’s so important that you include all students in learning and prioritize their sexual health above any discomfort you might have.

If you want even more resources and tips check out this blog post, which also features another fabulous training by Vanessa Geffrard.

What’s new with birth control?

With a constantly evolving landscape of birth control methods, Vanessa acknowledges that staying up to date can be a challenge. From familiar methods with rebranded names to truly innovative options, you’ve got to keep your lesson plans up to date. It’s important to sort out what methods are new, how these methods work in the body, and how to incorporate them into your existing contraceptive lesson plans. Don’t forget to include content about where young people can find birth control, especially when there may be limited options in their community.

Are you ready to give your contraceptive lessons a refresh?

Get the Resource

Allison Tomai Felsen is a Communications Manager for Healthy Teen Network who provides design and communications expertise for projects and manages our website. Allison and her husband are proud parents of two pups and three cats. Read more from Allison.

The post Give Your Contraceptive Lessons a Refresh appeared first on Healthy Teen Network.

Learn more—and get resources—about how to create affirming spaces for your students.

By Allison Tomai Felsen

June 15, 2023

The onslaught of attacks on the basic human right for people to exist just continues to be exhausting. Banning books, censoring curricula, banning transgender youth from playing sports, outlawing gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth, and attempting to ban drag…these bills and efforts are a coordinated attack to cram LGBTQ+ people and their culture back into a box and then erase their existence altogether.

According to a new report from the Movement Advancement Project, 2022 saw 315 bills—a record number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills—introduced in state legislatures and 29 were signed into law. GLSEN’s 2021 National School Climate Survey reported that the 83.1% of students who attended in-person school during the 2021-2022 school year “experienced harassment or assault based on personal characteristics, including sexual orientation, gender expression, gender, religion, actual or perceived race and ethnicity, and actual or perceived disability.”

Like many of you, working in our field, I recognize I have an enormous amount invested. And of course, like all of us, I have family members and friends who have been and are directly affected by these laws that are being passed.

It takes a toll on us. We see the effect from the harmful legislation and the wildfire spreading of these radical ideas in our communities, schools, and families. I find myself growing increasingly alarmed and angry about what is happening.

Often, we talk about having to keep pushing and showing up because that is what you do when you’re in a fight to keep all of us safe and ensure we all have the freedom to live our lives. Lately though, I find myself just holding a lot of anger.

Angry that I keep having the same conversations with friends and family about why it’s appropriate to find out and use a person’s pronouns. Angry that I am still having conversations with young my nieces and nephews, supporting them that they can wear anything they want from the dress up box, after a peer has made a criticizing mark about supposed “girl or boy colors.”, and if you want to wear anything from the dress up box, you can. Angry that we are STILL fighting for bodily autonomy in 2023…and that we’re regressing, not progressing.

Of course, I know these conversations are important, and that they are the way we can at least try to push against this tide of hate and fear. We all are learning, growing, and doing the best we can for the youth in our lives. It’s also a reminder that we need to keep creating inclusive spaces in places like the classroom so that students feel safe and supported.

We all are learning, growing, and doing the best we can for the youth in our lives. It’s also a reminder that we need to keep creating inclusive spaces in places like the classroom so that students feel safe and supported.

Navigating conversations in a sex ed class can be complex. “Am I using the most inclusive words for this lesson?” “Is there a way I can make students in my classroom feel affirmed in their gender and sexuality during our sex ed discussions?” “Gosh, I’d love time to practice using they/them pronouns!”

True You Maryland partner Alicia Miller, MPH, CHES, recently led a session about using inclusive practices in sex ed. Watch the video to practice using inclusive language, and learn how others are create affirming spaces for their students and what resources they rely on.

Check out the resources below to help make your space more inclusive.

Essential Tips You Need to Teach LGBTQ+-Inclusive Sex Ed

Healthy Teen Network

Get It

Gender Wheel Poster

Reflection Press

Get It

Gender Wheel Pronoun Card Deck

Gender Wheel

Get It

Windows, Mirrors, and Sliding Glass Doors

WITS Chicago

Get It

Breaking the Box (Gender Unicorn and Gender Elephant)

Do You

Get It

Resources for Gender-Inclusive Language Alternatives

Society for Gender Professionals

Get It

Racial Justice in Sex Education: E-Learning Modules

Advocates for Youth

Get It

Virtual Professional Development

Advocates for Youth

Get It

GUÍA PRÁCTICA DE LENGUAJE INCLUSIVO

Chrysallis

Get It

P.S.—If any of the emotions or thoughts I’ve expressed here resonate with you, don’t forget that this year at our conference we are looking to each other for inspiration and renewal. I’m looking forward to taking care and taking action.

Allison Tomai Felsen is a Communications Manager for Healthy Teen Network who provides design and communications expertise for projects and manages our website. Allison and her husband are proud parents of two pups and three cats. Read more from Allison.

The post Defend LGBTQ+ Rights by Creating Inclusive Learning Spaces appeared first on Healthy Teen Network.

The post Beyond Sexual & Reproductive Health: Linking Young People to Mental Health Resources appeared first on Healthy Teen Network.

“What do you do?” I was asked by my family when I went home… “Well, I work in sex ed!” *Brace for impact* “and I LOVE what I do, because it matters.”

Going home for the holidays can bring up…interesting discussions for anyone. For those of us in the field of adolescent sexual and reproductive health, our conversations with family can be especially compelling. So, what do we say when people question our field? What do you do and do you like it? Why does sex ed matter?

In my opinion, sex ed matters because it’s the RIGHT of young people to know about their own bodies. We teach young people about math, biology, and literature in schools, but when it comes to sexuality, it feels like a different ball game. But,  According to a 2017 study of both Republican and Democratic parents, 93% of respondents reported supporting sexuality education in schools. Of these people, 89% wanted classes that covered puberty, healthy relationships, abstinence, sexually transmitted infections, and birth control. The majority of people agree, we need sex ed in schools.

After reflecting on this over holiday break, I came back and asked our staff, “Why does sex ed matter?” and their responses beautifully showcase the WHY behind the work we do at Healthy Teen Network.

Deb says, “You know when your teacher says, “you’ll need this in life”? Well, unlike diagramming sentences (which I LOVE to do…no, actually, I really do love to diagram sentences), health and sex ed ARE something you’ll need in life.”

“We all deserve affirming, inclusive, accurate and comprehensive information about being the human (sexual) beings that we are.”

Mac mentioned, “We all live in bodies and make decisions about them. We all experience intimacy with ourselves and others. We all seek pleasure. We all touch. We all communicate. We all hold a number of identities, some chosen, some not. We all have needs, wants, desires, and boundaries. We are all curious. We are all seeking connection and want to be loved. If all of these things are part of the human experience, then sex ed, when done right, gives us the tools, language, and skills to navigate our humanness!

Mariah believes “Sex ed matters because it can be a tool for violence prevention. As a college sexual assault survivor, I wish that my younger self had access to comprehensive sex ed—instead of the abstinence only sex ed that I was given—because I would have been better equipped to understand what happened to me wasn’t my fault and that I had rights as a survivor under Title IX. Young people have bodily autonomy, and if we don’t give them all of the tools and information they need to feel confident making decisions about their own body and relationships, then we’re doing them a serious disservice.”

Rooting ourselves in WHY we show up and do the work we do can help us stay committed to our pursuit of a world where all adolescents and young adults lead healthy and fulfilling lives.

What’s YOUR why? What encourages you to show up each day for the young people in your life? What is the dream world you’re pursuing? Most importantly, how are you connecting with your purpose and role in this work?

If you’re feeling a renewed sense of purpose and dedication to this field this year, come take care and take action with us at #HealthyTeen23 in Portland!

PHOTO CREDIT: Tessa Rampersad on Unsplash

Sam is an experienced facilitator of curriculum focused on sexual health, puberty, safety, and relationships for adolescents. She has expertise in outreach, communications, and strengths-based critical thinking. Sam is passionate about the ways in which trusted adults can provide skills, knowledge, and support so adolescents can make informed decisions. Sam is dedicated to the advancement of justice through collaboration and co-creation. Read more about Sam.

The post New Year, Same WHY appeared first on Healthy Teen Network.