Just say 'yes' to healthy relationships

  • Published
  • By Aliza Reisberg
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs

 

As part of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, Airmen at Sheppard will have the chance to participate in the Just Say Yes program to learn about preventing dating violence.

 

Just Say Yes is a preventative approach to helping Airmen avoid trouble within a relationship, said Tiffany Esparza, Family Advocacy Outreach Manager for the 82nd MDOS/SGOW. She hopes that the program will empower them to begin working towards fostering and sustaining a positive relationship through healthy interpersonal behaviors.

 

“We are targeting the AiT population with this event because they are young adults and some of them have not had the opportunity to learn what a healthy relationship looks like,” Esparza said.

 

The program teaches how to recognize signs of dating violence such as threats or demanding that a partner neglect relationships with friends and family. Participants are provided with the knowledge and ability to gauge their own personal relationships and encourage healthy ones, saying ‘yes’ to their dreams and ‘no’ to destructive choices.

 

Guest speaker Carlos Phillips will present “Healthy Relationships – A Matter of the Heart” to teach the six steps necessary to develop a healthy relationship as well as identifying signs of an abusive relationship.

 

 

AiTs can attend one of four sessions April 30 at the Solid Rock Café at 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 10 a.m., or 11 a.m.

As part of Month of the Military Child, the program is also available for middle and high school students April 29 at 5:30 p.m. at the Youth Center.