February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
Intimate violence among teens is more common than people think. Before adulthood, 1 in 3 U.S. teens will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse by someone with whom they are in a relationship. Victims of physical or sexual abuse are at increased risk for pregnancy, STIs, substance abuse, risky sexual behavior, and further experiences with violence. 

Huckleberry is the leading provider of health education workshops in  San Francisco and Marin  schools. Our health educators equip youth with the knowledge and tools they need to make positive, well-informed decisions about their physical and mental health, relationships, and sexual behavior. 

  • Intimate partner violence has long been Marin's #1 violent crime. At our weekly reproductive health clinic in San Rafael, teens are screened for unhealthy relationships and dating violence. Anyone who "screens up", is referred to an on-site trained counselor who specializes in domestic abuse and dating violence. This counselor, who is on-staff at our domestic violence service partner, Center for Domestic Peace, educates youth about abuse and helps affected youth plan for their safety. 
  • In one Huckleberry workshop, youth learn consent is composed of three distinct aspects for all parties engaged in sexual intimacy: 1) informed consent (all parties have capacity and enough information to give full consent), 2) enthusiastic consent (all parties are unambiguously consenting without coercion or pressure), and 3) specific consent (consent is new every time; just because a person has consented in the past doesn't mean they consent for the present). If all three aspects are not present there is no consent and any sexual intimacy without consent constitutes abuse. Workshops also include information on identifying warning signs for unhealthy relationships and abuse, what to do if you are in an abusive relationship, and what to do as a bystander.  
IN SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY
  • In addition to workshops, Huckleberry is promoting healthy relationships in young men's groups. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention recently released data chronicling the success of young men's groups in San Francisco. Huckleberry facilitates these groups at Academy High School, Wallenberg High School, and School of the Arts. Each group includes 8-10 young men and tackles topics including sexual health and HIV prevention, healthy relationships, LGBTQ allyship, and masculinity/gender. After completing the group sessions, surveys indicate that participants are more likely to know where to access condoms and, "what it means to be in a healthy relationship."
A NOTE OF GRATITUDE FROM A TEACHER IN SF: 
"Dwanna and Ron from Huckleberry Youth Health Center came in and presented to my 11th grade class about setting safe boundaries in relationships. They did an exceptional job of presenting information to students using authentic role-playing and kept students interested for an entire hour and forty minutes.  They are awesome and my students and I wanted to thank them!"

Huckleberry health educator, Dwanna (right), facilitating workshops at Ida B. Wells High School. 
Huckleberry health educator Ron  at Sunday Streets in SF.

SAVE THE DATE - Thursday, May 3 at 8 pm
OTIS at Sweetwater Music Hall benefiting Huckleberry 
Inspired by the music of Memphis, Booker T, Otis Redding, and Stax  Records,  OTIS  features high energy soul stompers, groovers, and ballads.  OTIS  shows are a modern take on the seismic Stax soul revue that roared through Europe in 1967. The band's righteous sound combines B3 organ, horns, and backing vocals in support of some of the country's most combustible front men and women. On Thurs., May 3, OTIS will rock Sweetwater Music Hall in support of Huckleberry! 

Preview OTIS in Keep Soul Alive




Stay tuned for information on tickets and sponsorship packages!
February 2018 Funder Thank You

Gilead Sciences has been a vital Huckleberry partner since 2012, significantly increasing their funding over the years. Gilead's support has been critical to Huckleberry's HIV Youth Prevention Education (HYPE) and health education programminghelping to educate youth about HIV and sexually transmitted infections, helping youth identify their HIV status, preventing new infections, and creating a new generation of advocates in the fight against HIV/AIDS.  

In addition, Gilead was a platinum level sponsor at  Huckleberry's recent 50th Anniversary Gala. Huckleberry is incredibly grateful for Gilead's partnership!

Join us for these upcoming events!
Local boutique Ambiance, is hosting a special private shopping party to benefit Huckleberry! Join us on  Wed., March 7 from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm at Ambiance's Haight Street location - 1458 Haight (between Masonic and Ashbury).

Ambiance offers vintage-inspired dresses, funky clothes, and accessories, and is a favorite one-stop shopping destination for San Francisco's fashionistas.


 With a $10 entry fee, benefiting Huckleberry, you will receive:
*Complimentary champagne, hors d'oeuvres, and desserts 

*15% off regularly priced items and 20% off sale items  

*Personalized styling by Ambiance staff members


Attendees must be at least 21 years of age.


Wells Fargo Tax Code Workshop
Need answers about how the upcoming tax changes will affect you, your financial future, and your charitable giving? If you answered YES, you should attend this workshop!

Longtime Huckleberry corporate sponsor Wells Fargo has generously offered to host an informational workshop on the impact of the new tax code on charitable giving.  The Wells Fargo  Wealth Advisory Fund Group will guide you through the implications of the current Administration's tax reform, provide insight on how to make the biggest impact with charitable contributions, and answer questions about how you should change your charitable giving in 2018. Refreshments will be served.

***The date of this event is TBD and will be decided soon, once we have gauged interest and a possible number of attendees. The event will be in San Francisco*****

If you are interested in attending, please contact Anike Coates at acoates@huckleberryyouth.org or by phone at 415.668.2622 ext. 223.
Huckleberry Youth Programs
3310 Geary Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94118
415.668.2622