2nd Annual Healthy Breakup Summit

S.T.E.P. 2 Respect believes that all youth have the right to healthy relationships free from violence and abuse while connecting to their culture and community. To bring forth this vision, S.T.E.P. 2 Respect, annually coordinates various community events throughout the year including the Healthy Break Up Summit. The summit is a half day event for middle and high school youth to learn about and discuss healthy relationships while committing to end Teen Dating Violence in the Native and broader community.S.T.E.P. 2 Respect organized Portland’s second annual Healthy Break-Up Teen Summit on April 25th 2015 co-coordinating with VOA Home Free. The event was held at the Native American Youth and Community Center at Portland State University. Youth from Portland, Siletz and Salem who attended the Summit received community resources for Teen Dating Violence from such organizations as Planned Parenthood, Victims’ Rights Law Center, and Oregon’s Adolescent and School Health program.Youth attended a series of workshops provided by Oregon’s My Future My Choice Curriculum, Girl Strength, NAYA Safe Space Alliance, S.A.F.E.R., and Project Unica who provided a bilingual activity. The Summit closed with a Youth Speak-Out relaying to their peers and adult chaperones what important lessons they had learned for the day. Youth shared information, resources and poems they had written. Though workshops were youth-only, we shared an intergenerational discussion in the main lobby from breakfast through the end of the day when we were graced by the “Grandpa rap” by NAYA’s own celebrated elder, Ed Edmo!We encourage everyone to support the 3rd Annual Healthy Break Up Summit happening in Portland next spring 2016. S.T.E.P. 2 Respect also encourages families and community members to discuss and practice healthy relationships within your own lives. It’s never too early nor too late to learn and create positive relationships! More information on STEP 2 Respect and healthy relationships can be found on NAYA’s Website.In the words of a student who attended 2014’s first annual summit, “Healthy relationships are the best way to go. Always communicate with your partner.”