Building healthy relationships, supportive

schools, and safer communities.

safeaustin.org/expectrespect

“Today we’re making timelines,” the Expect Respect Facilitator explains, passing out long sheets of paper. Maya isn’t sure what to include. Painful memories, like the arguments, the pressure, the way she lost confidence in a relationship she once thought was love, come up quickly. She pauses, then remembers something more recent: the day she didn’t respond to a message that made her anxious. The moment she told a friend the truth. The decision to end the relationship.

Maya leans back and looks at what she’s drawn. For the first time, she can see not just what happened to her, but how she responded. And where she started making different choices that put her needs first.

By the end of the session, she rolls up her timeline and tucks it into her backpack. It’s still just a piece of paper—but now it tells a different story. Not only where she’s been, but how she’s moved forward.

And, maybe, for the first time, she can imagine where the line goes next.

Changing Lives Youth Theatre Ensemble kicked off their spring tour of their new play: "A Safe Place to Fall Apart" at Decker Middle School in Manor and Trinity Middle School in Westlake where the youth presented and led dialogue with their peers about the show's core themes of boundaries, healthy communication, and interrupting cycles of abuse. Several of the youth shared that they related to the lead character of Jessie, and the pressure being put on her by her parent, and also Solace, who struggles to assert boundaries when her friend shows up at her work.

Other audience quotes:

"The most important thing I learned from this program was that there are many ways that there can be an abusive relationship"--7th grade male student, Decker Middle School. 

"Don't change who you are for someone"--6th grade male student, Decker Middle School,

"That if you are in an abusive relationship, it's good to speak up." --8th grade female student, Decker Middle School.

"What I liked about this program was that it was real and relatable and what I learned is how to identify unhealthy relationship signs."—6th grade student, Trinity Episcopal

Our Communities in Schools partner at Decker also mentioned how much she enjoyed the play this year, particularly how the narrator character slowed things down to help the middle schoolers go deeper within the construct of the play itself. Changing Lives will continue their tour to five other middle schools this spring!

We are excited to share that members of the Expect Respect team will be leading an engaging, in-person training, “Responding to Disclosures of Violence,” at the Healthy Futures of Texas Symposium on April 27! This 3-day event in Round Rock brings together youth-serving professionals from across the state for connection, learning, and skill-building around adolescent health and well-being.

SAFE's new CEO, Dr. Pierre Berastain at a recent SAFE Gala with a message to the community: "Help Us Build Something Strong."

Would you like to use your voice to contribute? If you (or someone you love) have ever participated in The SAFE Alliance’s Expect Respect program, we would love to hear from you. That includes: 🔹 School-based support groups and individual counseling support 🔹 Changing Lives Youth Theater Ensemble 🔹 Youth leadership programs 🔹 Summer youth employment 🔹 Adult and youth trainings and partnerships (technical assistance, trainings for specific populations, consultation related to crisis intervention for a participant in one of your own programs) Would you be willing to share how that experience impacted you? A short video message or even just a quote goes a long way. If your connection to SAFE extends beyond Expect Respect into any part of our broader ecosystem of programs, we want to hear that story too. You’re welcome to remain anonymous - just let us know when you reach out. Community voices are what we need most right now, and yours matters more than you might think. Thank you so much for your consideration and support.