Relationship Education
About
Our Mission
Preventing teenage pregnancies and STIs by building strong communities and cultivating safe and healthy relationships.
Who We Are
A team of clinicians and educators empowering young people to make thoughtful decisions about intimate relationships and their futures.
What We Do
Use The Center for Relationship Education’s REAL Essentials suite of curricula, we start from a point of knowing each individual’s worth and value and homing in on the participant’s intrinsic motivation for making healthy choices in line with their values and future goals.
Programming
Student programming educates 5th through 12th graders about You, Your Relationships, Your Body, and Your Future at a developmentally appropriate level regarding sex, intimacy, puberty, sexually transmitted diseases, unplanned pregnancies, healthy relationships, setting boundaries, technology in relationships, and critical thinking for decision-making.
Parent and teacher workshops equip adults to be competent and responsive to the social, emotional, and safety needs of the young people in their care. These programs help caring adults continue to build a trusting relationship with teens. During classes, participants will experience dynamic and informative presentations, interactive activities, entertaining videos, games, and group discussions.
Meet Our Educators
Ashley King
Relationship Education Manager
aking@hopeclinicforwomen.org
Noval Mayes
Adult Program Coordinator
nmayes@hopeclinicforwomen.org
Brittany Comp
Middle School Coordinator
bcomp@hopeclinicforwomen.org
Ariel Robinson
Community Outreach Coordinator
arobinson@hopeclinicforwomen.org
Alex McCandless, LPC-MHSP, SRAS
Director of Clinical Strategy
amccandless@hopeclinicforwomen.org
Jóse Quiceno
Bilingual Relationship Education Specialist
615.619.3589
Jquiceno@hopeclinicforwomen.org
Our Curriculum
Level 1: Puberty Changes and Healthy Friendships 6 Sessions (45-50 minutes each)
-REAL Essentials: Starting Point
| Lesson Objectives | |
|---|---|
| Whole Person Health |
To help students evaluate the condition of their heart and emotional health. Equip students to manage emotional health. |
| Healthy Friendships |
Define healthy vs. unhealthy friendships. Identify warning signs of toxic friendships. |
|
Puberty Science |
Discuss the six categories of changes during puberty (physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, financial) Understand the names and function of the male and female reproductive anatomy. Learn basic definitions of sex. To help students understand personal hygiene, as it relates to puberty. Define consent and discuss boundary setting and maintenance. |
|
Future Goals |
Understand the value of thinking beyond the here and now. Understand how today’s choices can affect tomorrow’s outcomes. Review student Resource Guide. |
Level 2: Technology in Relationships & Sexual Risk Avoidance 6 Sessions (45-50 minutes each)
-REAL Essentials: Starting Point
| Lesson Objectives | |
| Whole Person Health |
Identify unique gifts and character qualities of themselves. Learn six categories of good health (physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, financial) and learning ways to manage stress for each. |
| Technology in Relationships |
Understand the impact of media and technology in relationships. Inform students about some of the dangers of the internet and teach skills to help navigate the internet safely. Understand the harmful effects and dangers of sexting and pornography. |
| Youth Risk Behavior Avoidance |
Learn the effects and consequences of youth risk behaviors: alcohol, drugs, vaping, abusive relationships, sexting and sexual activity (avoiding STIs and pregnancy). Discover that the choices they make affect not only themselves but also their families, schools, communities, and beyond. |
|
Refusal Skills & Future Goals |
Guide students in the decision-making process. Apply refusal skills and practice decision making decisions. Understand how today’s choices can affect tomorrow’s outcomes. Equip students to research and evaluate optional health for themselves. |
Level 3: Healthy Relationships and Sexual Health 4 Sessions (90 minutes each)
–REAL Essentials: Advance
| Lesson Objectives | |
| Knowing Yourself |
Conceptualize and comprehend the value of living beyond today and planning for their future. Discuss 6 types of Whole Person Health and Intimacy (physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, and financial) |
|
Boundaries and Healthy Relationships |
Lead students to identify the significant long-term impacts of decisions in adolescence—particularly those related to sex and relationships. Understand the positive impact of setting healthy boundaries in relationships. Learn how to build a foundation of healthy, connected and committed relationships |
| Sexual Health |
Discuss the multi-faceted impacts of sex for oneself and one’s relationships. Understand the names and function of the male and female reproductive anatomy. Learn key information about transmission, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of STIs, including HIV. Understand the impact of factors such as alcohol on one’s ability to give and receive consent in physically intimate settings. Lead students to critically think through the impact of a positive STI or pregnancy test as a teen. Inform students of the risks taken when relying on contraception to reduce one’s chances of pregnancy or STIs |
| Future Steps |
Helps students think intentionally about what sexual activity means to them. Equip students to identify the steps to take to find medically accurate information safely. Provide resources for students to continue to find optimal health for themselves. |
For More Information Contact relationshiped@hopclinicforwomen.org
What Partners and Participants are Saying
“Having a partnership with Hope Clinic allows us to keep before our students healthy messages about sexuality and is leading to the prevention of teenage pregnancy. Hope Clinic’s staff has been outstanding to work with and approach our students and mission with sensitivity, expertise, and professionalism.”
“Hope Clinic did an amazing job teaching our students about the many things that contribute to Whole Person Health. They were personable, informative, dynamic, and approachable. So many of our students ended up staying back to have private conversations with the presenters and they were so kind, compassionate, and truly have a zeal for the work that they do. We are ever so grateful for the level of commitment Hope Clinic has for doing such significant work with the youth of Nashville.” – KIPP Antioch College Prep
“All I can say is WOW! I never knew what my children are going through. Thank you for opening our eyes to what our children go through on a daily basis. This class was so needed. I pray it will spread all over Nashville and surrounding areas.”
“Hope Clinic for Women has taught their relationship education classes to our high school students at Nashville Christian School for the past five years, and I have been able to work closely with them over the last four years during this process. I cannot begin to express the amazing impact their classes have had on our students. When the Hope Clinic leaves our campus each year, I feel confident that each of our students have learned meaningful takeaways that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. I wish that every high school student and parent had the opportunity to learn from the Hope Clinic, and I am so thankful for everyone who makes their teaching possible for our students and families. I know that the Hope Clinic is making a difference in the next generation, and we feel very blessed to have their teaching to aid with the growth of our students.” – Nashville Christian School
The production of this program was made possible by Funding Opportunity Number HHS-2021-ACF-ACYF-SR-1927 or HHS-2023-ACF-ACYF-SR-0035 from the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. Its contents are solely the responsibility of (insert name of recipient) and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.
Get involved
If you would like to support the work of Hope Clinic with your time or treasure, please visit our volunteer page or our donate page. We would not be able to do what we do and reach the individuals we do without the tireless work and support of people like you. Thank you!
