GNA

This past Friday, February 17^th, the GNA Teen Center hosted their 9^th Annual Safe Love Dance.   Gym doors opened at 6pm for youth ages 13-19 who were welcome into the healthy relationships and lifestyle fair that kicks off the event each year. Through a host of fun interactive games, quizzes, and demonstrations, the 175+  youth in attendance were challenged, educated, and passed along a wealth of valuable information about self compassion, peaceful relationships, safe sex practices, and connected to several other community resources.  Some of the 17 organizations represented included Teen Empowerment, BARRC (Boston Area Rape Crisis Center), Boston G.L.A.S.S. (Gay/ Lesbian/Bi/Trans  Adolescent Social Services) ,  MassCOSH (Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health), The Mayor’s Youthline, Close to Home, I Embrace You, Start Strong who ended the fair with a workshop on relationships, and Ritmo en Acción, whose teens kicked off the dance portion of the night at 8pm with a short set of choreographed moves on the dance floor.  Special thanks for the Safe Love Dance, which was sponsored by Dotwell, goes out to the entire GNA Staff and Peer Ambassadors, Dorchester House Security, DJ Nugget, volunteers from Social Capital Inc’s AmeriCorps Team who chaperoned and set up a photo booth, as well as youth from the Volunteer Club of the O’Bryant School for Math And Science who welcomed other youth and asked them “What does Safe Love Mean to You?.”