The History
Helping Hands
Catholic Charities first became involved in teen dating violence prevention in 2003 when they volunteered to host the DELTA Grant (Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership Through Alliances) on behalf of the Wichita/Sedgwick County Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalition (WDVSAC). Through DELTA and the established relationships with the public schools and administration, Choose Respect Clubs were established in all public middle and high schools in Wichita. The Choose Respect Clubs were comprised of several student leaders from each school. Twice a year, Choose Respect would host all day workshops for the student leaders to learn about healthy relationship skills and warning signs to would-be abusive relationships. Each club was charged with meeting on a regular basis and creating their own Choose Respect Campaign within their school. The goal was to increase healthy relationship skills and decrease relationship violence through education and willingness to be an upstander (activated bystander). Education was also provided for school staff upon request as a means to support the students in their effort to change the school climate.
In 2008, Catholic Charities was awarded the Start Strong Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Grant of $1 million over four years. Catholic Charities is partners with the Wichita Public Schools, Wichita State University, Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center, YMCA and the Boys & Girls Club to provide a comprehensive approach to eliminating teen dating violence through all the ways kids are influenced i.e. peers; family & caregivers; school; community; and media. Besides continuing to have Choose Respect Clubs in all 30 Wichita Public Schools through Choose Respect, we now also have healthy relationship curriculum being taught in three target middle schools and two high schools, curriculum and activities in after school programs, a youth committee who help to direct the project made up of students from across the Wichita area, two drama troupes who travel around the community mostly presenting to other teens but also for adults, education for parents and staff at three target middle schools, collection of data to evaluate effectiveness of project, community-wide events such as Final Friday Art Show downtown, Battle of the Bands in Old Town, videos on YouTube, and this website!
In 2008, Catholic Charities was awarded the Start Strong Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Grant of $1 million over four years. Catholic Charities is partners with the Wichita Public Schools, Wichita State University, Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center, YMCA and the Boys & Girls Club to provide a comprehensive approach to eliminating teen dating violence through all the ways kids are influenced i.e. peers; family & caregivers; school; community; and media. Besides continuing to have Choose Respect Clubs in all 30 Wichita Public Schools through Choose Respect, we now also have healthy relationship curriculum being taught in three target middle schools and two high schools, curriculum and activities in after school programs, a youth committee who help to direct the project made up of students from across the Wichita area, two drama troupes who travel around the community mostly presenting to other teens but also for adults, education for parents and staff at three target middle schools, collection of data to evaluate effectiveness of project, community-wide events such as Final Friday Art Show downtown, Battle of the Bands in Old Town, videos on YouTube, and this website!