Now that August is ending and the new school year is upon us, the REACH team took some time to reflect on what back-to-school season means to them and how it influences their work cultivating healthy relationships.
Below are reflections shared by REACH staff members on the back-to-school journey, establishing respectful boundaries, identifying and separating healthy and harmful behaviors, teen dating violence, and what schools can do to better support young people.
Lissa Hernández, REACH Community Advocate
My work with REACH has helped me understand how important it is for young people to learn from an early age what healthy relationships look like. It has also shown me the importance of recognizing unhealthy patterns and behaviors early on, so we can work to change them and build healthier ways of relating to others.
I have a younger sister who is 21, and my work with REACH has helped me better understand how to approach conversations with her about boundaries, respect, and healthy relationships. It has also taught me to keep in mind that people may understand and experience these topics differently depending on their age, background, personal experiences, and many other factors. Because of that, I try to approach these conversations with openness, respect, and without making assumptions.
Although I am still becoming familiar with how schools and communities approach these topics here in the United States, I believe it is important to provide ongoing education about healthy relationships, boundaries, and harmful behaviors. These conversations should use age-appropriate language while still being clear and direct.
I also think young people should regularly be reminded of the resources and support systems available to them, so they know where to turn if they ever need help.
One message I hope every young person carries with them is that one of the most important relationships we have in life is the relationship we have with ourselves. That relationship is nurtured through self-love, which begins with knowing, valuing, and taking care of ourselves. An important part of that is recognizing how we deserve to be treated by others and feeling empowered to set boundaries that protect our well-being.
Zerimar Ramirez, REACH Community Advocate
The one message I hope every young person carries with them as they begin a new school year is to be brave, to believe in yourself, and that true power comes from within.
Bianca Ruiz, REACH Director of Residential Programs
As both a parent and the Director of Residential Programs at REACH, my work has absolutely influenced the way I approach the back-to-school season.
I have three children—two teenagers and a toddler—and my oldest is a 14-year-old boy. As he’s gotten older, I’ve become much more intentional about having open, ongoing conversations about healthy relationships, respect, consent, boundaries, peer pressure, and recognizing unhealthy or controlling behaviors.
Rather than waiting for “the right time,” I try to make these conversations a normal part of everyday life so my children know they can come to me without fear of judgment. I want my children to understand that healthy relationships are built on trust, communication, mutual respect, and safety—whether those relationships are with friends, dating partners, or family members.
I would love to see schools place a greater emphasis on social-emotional learning and healthy relationship education beginning at younger ages and continuing throughout middle and high school.
While many schools address bullying, I think there is still room to have more meaningful conversations about teen dating violence, digital safety, emotional abuse, consent, and conflict resolution. These topics should be woven into students’ education, not just presented during a single assembly or awareness month.
Marie Andre, REACH Community Advocate
Working at REACH has made me talk to my kids more about respect, boundaries, communication, and knowing when certain behaviors are not okay or can become controlling.
As they get older, I want them to understand that sometimes unhealthy behaviors can look like someone cares about you or loves you, but that doesn’t always mean the relationship is healthy. I also want my kids to know they can always come and talk to me about anything without feeling like I’m going to judge them or they’re going to get in trouble.
Working at REACH has really made me more aware of how important it is to have these conversations with my kids early.
Georgianna Carney, REACH Community Advocate
What I hope young people remember is that they are worthy of healthy love and that they do not deserve to be mistreated by anyone, whether it’s a friend, a romantic partner, or a family member.
Mari Brenda Vara-Pineda, REACH Senior Community Advocacy Intake Coordinator
Working at REACH has reminded me how important it is to have conversations with young people about healthy relationships, boundaries, and what respect looks like. Back-to-school is a good time to remind young people that they deserve relationships where they feel safe, respected, and comfortable being themselves.
I’ve become more aware of how important it is to have these conversations early and to make them feel normal and approachable. I also try to listen without judgment so young people know they can come to us and feel safe talking about what they’re experiencing.
I wish we talked more openly about healthy and unhealthy relationships before there is a problem. Young people should know what red flags can look like and, most importantly, where they can go for support if something doesn’t feel right.
You deserve to feel safe, respected, and heard. Trust yourself, listen to your feelings, and know that you never have to go through something alone.
How Has the Back-to-School Journey Influenced Your Work?
We hope you enjoyed reading the above thoughts and reflections provided by the REACH staff on back-to-school season and what it means in relation to their work. We also hope you take the opportunity to reflect on your own work and how it connects with students and young people who are still learning about healthy relationships.
Does your work involve talking about boundaries, respect, harmful patterns of behavior, or teen dating violence? Is there something you wish schools and communities did more of to help young people understand what healthy relationships look like? Is there a particular message or lesson you hope every young person carries with them as they begin a new school year?
Feel free to reflect on your own in whatever manner works best for you. As always, we appreciate you taking the time to read this blog post and supporting REACH in our endeavors to build safer communities for all.
