Raíces Saludables

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.

Raíces Saludables

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. 

Temas

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
  • Planificación de seguridad
  • 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

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Violencia en el noviazgo entre adolescentes 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. 

Blog

Ene 31, 2025 May 24 @ 9:13 am

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…

Ene 13, 2025 May 24 @ 9:13 am

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…

Ene 3, 2025 May 24 @ 9:13 am

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…

Eventos

Abr 15, 2025 Jun 5 @ 12:00 pm - 13:00

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.

Abr 11, 2025 Jun 9 @ 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Formación DV 101: Reconocer. Responder. Referirse.

Join YWCA Spokane for this important free, virtual training on June 9th at 2:00pm. Learn more about intimate partner domestic violence, how to help a friend, and about YWCA Spokane’s free and confidential services.

Abr 11, 2025 Jun 12 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Formación DV 101: Reconocer. Responder. Referirse.

Join YWCA Spokane for this important free, virtual training on June 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.