Save the Date! Voices Against Violence Community Coffeehouse

Sunday, March 22

4 - 6PM

Temple Beth Shalom, Melrose

This annual event run by MAAV's Student Action Board, is back for the 13th year, and generously supported by the Melrose and Massachusetts Cultural Councils!

Join us to support our performing creatives or bring your own talents to the stage! If you are interested in performing, reach out to MAAV at info@maav.org for more information!





February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Month

This month long education and awareness month began in the mid-2000s, when advocates and educators recognized that many relational violence survivors first experienced abuse during adolescence.

While early efforts focused on raising awareness of teen dating abuse, over time the focus shifted toward prevention, because waiting until violence happens is too late. What teens learn about love, connection, and conflict early can last a lifetime. Young people’s trusted adults, peers, and communities have a critical role to play in shaping relationship norms. 

What is Love? Wear Orange! Red Flags & Green Flags: Local Partners Share the Power of Prevention

We are grateful to our local partners for supporting Teen Dating Violence & Awareness month displays and initiatives. Student Action Board members, led by Naomi and Violeta, worked with MHS librarian Ms. Magoon to create an interactive display inviting student insights into what makes a relationship healthy or unhealthy. SAB members compiled recommended book titles whose plot lines touched on red and green flags.

SAB Awareness efforts were reflected in the Melrose Public Library Teen Room too. Working with MPL Teen Librarian Amanda Roberts, SAB Members Kara, Caroline, Audrey, Lucy and Cece identified book titles in MPL's current catalog that centered on relationships and created an educational display about consent, boundaries and more.

SAB's Wear Orange Day team - Beau, Gemma, Kathryn, Leila and Audrey - worked with MHS Leadership to make February 10th Wear Orange Day at Melrose High School. Students were invited to wear anything orange to represent awareness and their support for everyone deserving respectful relationships.

Thanks to all who worked to raise awareness and support the power of prevention this month, and every month!

Did you miss Teen Healthy Relationships on February 11th?

On February 11, MAAV, alongside our partners at Wakefield Alliance Against Violence, Stoneham Alliance Against Violence, and RESPOND Inc. with special guest Pathways to Restorative Communities, hosted a Teen Healthy Relationships workshop for parents/caregivers grounded in shared expertise and collective commitment.

This photo captures what prevention looks like: organizations coming together, aligning our knowledge, and sharing information, healthy communication strategies, and restorative practices for the young people we serve.

When we collaborate, our impact grows. Strong partnerships build stronger, safer communities!

Access resources shared in the workshop and the recording below.

Thank you Kristina!

We said goodbye this month to our Administrative Assistant, Kristina Hanlon. Kristina has been a steady, thoughtful presence behind the scenes at MAAV, keeping our day-to-day operations running smoothly, supporting staff and volunteers, and showing care in countless meaningful ways. Her kind, welcoming presence, attention to detail, helpful spirit, and commitment to our mission has strengthened MAAV and our work.

We are grateful for all that Kristina brought to this role and for her contributions to MAAV. We wish her continued growth, fulfillment and success in her next chapter, and we know she will continue to make a difference wherever she goes!

MAAV's Board is recruiting!

Do you have a passion for MAAV's mission to end the cycle of relational violence? Do you have skills, knowledge, and experience with prevention, intervention, education, finance, fundraising, or insurance, AND have a few volunteer hours a month to give? If yes, then we'd like to meet you !MAAV's volunteer board of directors is recruiting new members. Interested in learning more? Reach out to Executive Director Meredith Shaw at mshaw@maav.org

12 Truths about Teens and Dating

February can be a good time to talk openly with the teens in your life about relationships, respect, and safety. We appreciated this article from Parents.com on some teen dating truths and how teen dating may have changed over the years.

5 Key Steps for Raising Assertive Kids

This article from Big Life Journal outlines 5 key steps for raising assertive kids. It parallels MAAV's elementary Healthy Relationship lessons where we talk with students about consent, boundaries, healthy friendships and upstander behaviors.

When kids learn how to connect with their personal power and to stand up for themselves and others without being hurtful or mean, it helps lay the foundation for healthy friendships and future dating relationships. Knowing how to speak up, set boundaries, and respect others’ limits matters at every age!