Life Skills Workshop 5: Dating Safety!
Life skills are an important part of preparing youth for independence, and this summer The Foster Youth Resource Concierge (FYRC) at Speak Up for Kids partnered with Vita Nova to collaboratively host a series of 5 life skills workshops! The fifth and final workshop of the summer was a Dating Safety Life Skills workshop at AMF Bowling in Boynton Beach back in August! The workshop brought young adults together for peer interaction, meaningful discussions, and practical education about safe and healthy dating.
The casual and relaxed setting of the bowling alley allowed the young adults to feel comfortable engaging in the conversations. Speak Up For Kids staff facilitated discussions about dating safety basics, what healthy relationships look like, how to recognize red flags, and if a relationship is becoming toxic. Participants were very engaged in the conversation and were actively sharing their perspectives and experiences.
The conversation addressed dating safety from three interconnected perspectives; physical safety, emotional safety, and mental awareness. Participants discussed ways to physically protect themselves while dating or socializing, the importance of establishing and maintaining emotional boundaries, recognizing concerning behaviors, trusting their instincts, communicating expectations, remaining aware of their surroundings, staying true to their morals, and more!
An interactive “drink drop” activity inspired by a social media trend supported the educational and social experience. While participants were bowling, talking, and interacting with one another, staff discreetly placed gummy worms into their drinks. The gummy worms represented illicit substances, and demonstrated how easily a substance could potentially be placed into someone's drink, without their knowledge.
The exercise proved impactful because staff were able to place the gummy worms into the participants' drinks without being noticed. Participants continued drinking without realizing that anything had been added. Toward the end of the event, everyone was clued in and an important conversation was had.
Staff and the participants discussed how being distracted by conversation, friends, entertainment, or a potential romantic interest can make it surprisingly easy to lose awareness of a drink or one's surroundings. Participants were encouraged to think about practical strategies for protecting themselves in dating and social environments, including maintaining control of their drinks, never leaving their drinks unattended, looking out for friends, and recognizing when a situation does not feel safe. The activity reinforced the idea that young adults can enjoy dating, relationships, nightlife, and social experiences while developing the awareness and skills necessary to make good decisions and stay safe.
The dating safety workshop also provided an opportunity for young adults from Speak Up for Kids and Vita Nova to socialize and learn from one another in a supportive environment. By combining important discussions with peer interactions and social experiences, the workshop transformed dating safety from an abstract concept into something participants could interact with and gain the confidence and skills needed to succeed in this field. This workshop supported the greater mission of the FYRC program by helping young adults strengthen the knowledge, self-advocacy, and practical skills necessary to navigate adulthood with greater independence and confidence!
