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For Parents: Helping Your Teen Develop Healthy Boundaries in Relationships
A new school year is about to begin, and just like kids, parents might get first-day jitters too. It is simple to overlook some matters when there is so much going on, especially matters as intimidating as discussing dating with your teen.
Adolescence is a period of emotional and social exploration and development that involves curating relationships with friends, family, and sometimes even romantic partners. A key component of preparing your child for healthy dating experiences is helping them establish boundaries.
Talk to your teen about the importance of establishing emotional, physical, and digital boundaries when it comes to dating. Your teen can practice establishing emotional boundaries in relationships by communicating to their partner how they want to be treated verbally, psychologically, emotionally, and what (if any) private information they feel comfortable sharing, and more.
 
Your teen needs to consider their physical boundaries as well. Hugging, holding hands, and engaging in sexual activity are a few examples of behaviours that fall under physical boundaries. Before your child starts dating, it's important to talk to them about consent and safe sexual activity.
Teenagers heavily rely on social media, so knowing how to establish personal digital boundaries is critical. This includes sexting, text messaging, what your teen feels comfortable sharing on social media, and what relationship-related details they feel comfortable having their partner post about.
As a parent, it is important to detect the warning signs of an unhealthy or abusive relationship. Please refer to our Community Resources page for some tips to navigate this conversation with your teen. Navigating the world of relationships is a normal and healthy thing to do. But, when faced with a toxic or violent relationship, it is best to have resources and tools to keep yourself, your teen or the young adults in your life safe
Volunteer Opportunities
Seniors Program Workshop Facilitators (4 - 5 volunteers)
Under the supervision of the Public Education Coordinator, the Workshop Facilitator will be responsible for delivering prepared workshops about senior abuse to peers in local retirement communities, residences, seniors’ organizations, and other community centres in accordance with the program’s stated learning objectives.
Break The Silence, Step In My Shoes Walk Volunteers (10 + volunteers)
Our Break the Silence, Step In My Shoes Walk is coming up on Sunday, November 6th, 2022 at St. Andrews College, in Aurora. In collaboration with the Resource Development Team, volunteers will be responsible for various tasks either in preparation for the event or on the day of. Tasks include putting up posters in local community centres, creating signs, putting together swag bags, decorating, set up/take down, and more!
Volunteer Receptionist (2+ volunteers)
Under the supervision of the Stewardship Coordinator, the Receptionist will be responsible for supporting various administrative projects and day-to-day duties for the organization. Such responsibilities include greeting visitors, receiving donations, answering all incoming calls, directing calls to appropriate staff members, maintaining inventory of office supplies, sorting mail, and preparing shipping labels.
If you're interested in volunteering, please email volunteering@yellowbrickhouse.org and indicate which opportunities you are interested in.
Public Education Workshops
Yellow Brick House offers a number of informative workshops for schools and community organizations alike.
Our school workshops (“Schools for Change”) are focused on abuse and violence prevention and cover topics such as healthy relationships, types of abuse, bullying, self-esteem, genders and media, and navigating the online world.
 
Our community workshops (“Healthy Homes”) provide newcomers and immigrants information on healthy relationships, abuse and violence, and options for support.
 
For the 2022-2023 school year, we are exploring a hybrid model for workshop delivery. Our workshop price list and “menu” will be sent out early in the new school year, and more information will be posted on our website as it becomes available.
 
Please visit our website for more information. If you have any specific questions or would like to be notified when workshops are released, please email publiceducation@yellowbrickhouse.org.
Community Support
We are so grateful to have such a supportive community, always willing to lend a helping hand! This month we had Xperigo and CIBC join us to help with different projects!
Xperigo Team helped out this month, assembling new furniture for one of our shelters.
CIBC Commerce Valley Team helped out this month, cleaning up and organizing ahead of renovations.
Want to get your team involved? Email volunteering@yellowbrickhouse.org to get started!
Step In My Shoes Walk
Our Annual Break the Silence, Step In My Shoes Walk is back! Join us on November 6th, 2022 at 10am in person at St. Andrews College.

Registration is free! Food, beverages and more goodies will be available! Help us reach our goal of $100,000 to raise funds in support of our life-saving support services and prevention programs for women and children. Every $150 raised will ensure one night of safety for a woman or child impacted by violence and abuse. Stay tuned for more updates on this event, and make sure to register below!

Thank you for supporting us in the movement to end domestic violence.

*A hybrid option is available for those who cannot join in person. Register to walk, run or jog on your own or with some friends throughout the months of September and October. Send some pictures of your participation to events@yellowbrickhouse.org to be included in the celebration video.
 905-709-0900 | supporter@yellowbrickhouse.org www.yellowbrickhouse.org
Crisis & Support Line: 1-800-263-3247