Gesunde Wurzeln

Free healthy relationships & dating violence education for youth

Empowering youth to build futures free from violence

A powerful educational series for young people that is designed to promote healthy relationships and reduce teen dating violence.

Gesunde Wurzeln

Our Goal

YWCA Spokane's Healthy Roots program is a free and customizable educational series that is designed to: 

  • Empower youth to engage in constructive conversations about healthy and unhealthy behaviors
  • Support youth in identifying unhealthy/abusive relationships
  • Normalize conversations about relationship dynamics among youth and with caregivers
  • Help youth identify key people they can feel safe talking to about relationship dynamics
Why Its Important

You likely know and care about a young person who is or will be impacted by an abusive relationship.

Engaging in constructive conversations about what healthy relationships are supposed to look like while receiving guidance on how to identify unhealthy behaviors can make a tremendous difference in a young person’s life. It can break generational cycles of trauma and help to set a young person up to have a healthier future.

It is important to normalize conversations about relationship dynamics so youth feel more comfortable reaching out when they need help. It also increases their capacity to support their peers when they recognize signs of an unhealthy or abusive relationship.

What To Expect

Youth can expect to gain a deeper understanding of both healthy and unhealthy relationships through a comprehensive and interactive learning experience.

They will explore various types of relationships, learn to identify key characteristics of healthy relationships such as respect, trust, and effective communication, and recognize signs of unhealthy dynamics. The curriculum emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, self-esteem, consent, and boundaries, equipping students with the knowledge to navigate relationships confidently and safely. 

Students will develop essential life skills that empower them to build and maintain healthy relationships. The curriculum is designed to create a safe and supportive environment, ensuring confidentiality and a non-judgmental atmosphere. 

Topics

Each series can be customized to include topics from the below list that are most meaningful for the youth to discuss. 

  • Boundaries
  • Caring relationships
  • Cycles of abuse
  • Dating abuse
  • Gender roles
  • Gender violence
  • Healthy conflict resolution
  • Healthy relationship characteristics
  • Helping a loved one
  • Power and control wheels
  • Respect and consent
  • Relationship Spectrum
  • Safety planning
  • Self-identity
  • Setting Boundaries
  • Why people abuse
  • Why people stay
Facilitation

Our facilitators do not provide sex education or one-on-one advocacy. They do not promote or push dating. They simply offer skills to foster healthy relationships while dating or with a partner, friend, or family member.

What Youth are Saying

321304274 1194010301491803 1806724024570914968 N

Teen Dating Violence As shared by LoveisRespect.org

  • 1 in 3 U.S. teens will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from someone they're in a relationship with before they become adults. 
  • Nearly half (43%) of U.S. college women report experiencing violent or abusive dating behaviors. 

Der Blog

Jan. 31, 2025 Apr. 19 @ 4:39 pm

Supporting Youth TDVAM 2025

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM), a time dedicated to raising awareness about the realities of teen dating violence and empowering our community to take action. With 1 in 3 teens experiencing dating violence and the majority never…

Jan. 13, 2025 Apr. 19 @ 4:39 pm

Healthy Roots at Shadle Park High School: Recap

In December, YWCA partnered with the college and career center at Shadle Park High School to bring three interactive lunch time lessons focused on the social and emotional skills required for post-secondary success. What is Healthy Roots? Healthy Roots is…

Jan. 3, 2025 Apr. 19 @ 4:39 pm

Healthy Roots at On Track Academy: Autumn Series Recap

Monday, December 16, marked the final session of YWCA Spokane’s Healthy Roots series at On Track Academy (OTA) for the autumn term. This impactful program provided valuable lessons on relationship dynamics, self-care, and empowerment to high school students in a…

Veranstaltungen

Apr. 1, 2025 Mai 12 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 Uhr

DV 201 Training: Learning In Action

Join YWCA Spokane for this important free, virtual training on May 12th at 10:00am. Learn more about intimate partner domestic violence, how to help a friend, and about YWCA Spokane’s free and confidential services.

Apr. 3, 2025 Mai 15 @ 2:00 pm - 3:30 Uhr Nachmittags

DV 201 Training: Learning In Action

Join YWCA Spokane for this important free, virtual training on May 15th at 2:00pm. Learn more about intimate partner domestic violence, how to help a friend, and about YWCA Spokane’s free and confidential services.

Apr. 15, 2025 Juni 5 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Trans and Nonbinary Youth: Pathways Forward

Join YWCA Spokane this Pride Month for a roundtable conversation about promoting equitable inclusion for trans and gender nonconforming youth this June.