Mar 22, 2017
Daily Times Chronicle
WOBURN - Woburn Memorial High School, in conjunction with the Shannon Lee Meara Foundation, welcomes a new partnership with Respond Inc. to support dating violence awareness and prevention for students!
The Dating Violence Task Team comprised of student peer leaders and staff are excited about the new partnership with Jennifer Wolter, coordinator to community based services at Respond Inc., who will offer new education and facilitate class curriculum that supports healthy relationships at WMHS.
Woburn resident Arlene Meara funds various initiatives at WMHS in memory of her daughter Shannon, a WMHS graduate and a victim to dating violence in 2008 by an ex-boyfriend.
Since her daughter’s death, Arlene and members of the Foundation have focused their efforts in raising money for violence education and prevention in Woburn and surrounding communities to prevent tragedies like Shannon’s and to empower youth to identify abusive behaviors and be more responsible as dating partners.
The DVTT, with financial support from the MEARA foundation organizes various annual events at WMHS. After a brief reprieve in services, Respond Inc. will resume education at WMHS including a healthy relationship curriculum in the 9th grade wellness classes and upper grade health classes, schedule an annual girls group to help with communication and healthy decisions with dating partners, will schedule school assemblies or forums to the wider student body or with parents as needed and will be a resource for parents and students as needed.
In February, the Meara Foundation sponsored Jennifer Wolter to conduct an interactive workshop on teen dating abuse prevention for students and parents at WMHS. The workshop included warning signs, how to set boundaries, the differences between healthy, unhealthy, and abusive behaviors, and parent tips to communicate to their child regarding dating relationships.
Since its inception, the Dating Violence Task Team at WMHS recruits student peer leaders who participate in trainings on healthy relationships, speak at public events, and promote the anonymous dating violence referral forms for students to use if worried about themselves or another peer.
There are currently 57 peer leaders signed on to the google classroom site that posts events and trainings related to the DVTT. Students interested are encouraged to sign on with code oyukz3!
For seniors, the Foundation promotes the Shannon Meara annual $1,000 scholarship for any senior who has been impacted by dating or domestic violence or who shows commitment to community ser-vice. Applications can be picked up in Mrs. Giardiana’s office at the H.S.
Please support the Meara Foundation and Woburn youth!
The next Fundraising event is scheduled Sat March 25th at the Sons of Italy doors open 7 p.m. – midnight. Tickets are $20 for food, entertainment by Music and Memories band, $1,000 super raffle, & gift baskets!
For further information:
Shannon Meara Foundation: shannonleemearafoundation.org
Respond Inc. Working to end domestic violence www.respondinc.org PO Box 555 Somerville MA 617 623-5900 24hr hotline, 617 440-7267 programs and services
WMHS Dating Violence Task Team: Advisors Loren Baccari School Adjustment Counselor 781 937-8210 x10104, Diane Ivester, Wellness Department Head x10120 and Adam Lapon, wellness teacher x10341
Loveisrespect.org-24hr chat line comprehensive site regarding dating relationships
