Prevention Programs
Our prevention programming emphasizes working with youth because we know that this is the most effective way to stop violence before it starts.
Young people are particularly susceptible to experiencing dating violence because they are still developing their sense of self and creating norms for their future relationships. We also recognize them as major change makers!
Through our prevention programs and YWCA Clark County Prevention Advisory Board, we seek to empower youth as leaders in changing norms around violence in our relationships and communities.
Check out some of the work we do on our YWCA Clark County Prevention Instagram.
If you are interested in any of our prevention programming, please call 360-696-0167 or email prevention@ywcaclarkcounty.org with the program you are interested in listed in the subject line.
Where We Grow is a community-based domestic violence program designed especially for middle school-aged youth ages 11-14. Through a multi-session curriculum, participants build knowledge and skills that support healthy relationships. Exercises are hands-on and build on youth strengths in order to increase successful learning.
Students explore age-appropriate topics such as:
- Exploring values
- Respectful communication
- Healthy break-ups and boundaries
- Media impact on the culture of violence
Where We Grow is available in school and community settings. A Where We Grow group is also available for youth who have been affected by domestic violence/dating violence. Youth who complete Where We Grow will be eligible to join our YWCA Clark County Prevention Program Advisory Board.
Where We Thrive is a prevention program for high school students ages 15-18 to learn more about preventing sexual assault and intimate partner violence, building healthy relationships, and becoming advocates for themselves and others.
Students discuss various topics such as:
- Red flags and warning signs of abuse
- Setting boundaries and asking for consent
- Media representations and relationships
- Becoming agents of change in their communities
Each group culminates in a youth-led leadership project to bridge connections with their peers within the Clark County community.
Young adults who attend the program are eligible to join the YWCA Clark County Prevention Advisory Board. Where We Thrive is hosted at YWCA Clark County on an ongoing basis, and can be scheduled for your school, after-school club, or youth group upon request.
Where We Live is a 4 week series of workshops for adults who want to learn skills to increase safety for children. This workshop is ideal for adults who work with children such as teachers, social workers, and health-care professionals. Individual parents, parent groups and church communities also find this curriculum valuable in order to keep children safe from abuse and exploitation. Every adult that has children in their lives can benefit from this program.
Topics include:
- Identifying behaviors and tactics of potential perpetrators
- Effective ways to address suspicious behaviors
- Tools for comfortably discussing safety and bodily integrity with children
New in 2023, this Consent Co-op program, which is a division of the Youth Action Council, is for students ages 13-18 from across Clark County.
Student ambassadors and local leaders will lead conversations on healthy relationships, drive social media campaigns, and discuss changes they want to see in Clark County.
We will meet once a month on the second Thursday of the month for 2 hours after school, from May to October. Meetings will be held at YWCA Clark County, 3609 Main St., Vancouver, WA 98663.
Fill out the interest form to join the Council: tinyurl.com/yacywcacc
Contact organizer Mandipa Masike at mmasike@ywcaclarkcounty.org to learn more.
Through the Center for Disease Control, we received funding to provide Rape Prevention Education programming. Our current program involves working collaboratively with local youth substance use prevention coalitions.
The goal of this partnership is to develop and implement anti-oppression and anti-racism policies and practices that address the root causes of gender-based violence in partnership as well as to connect efforts between sexual violence prevention and youth substance use prevention.