By Michael P. Neufeld Mountain Communities, CA – Unhealthy
relationships can begin early and last a lifetime. That why
DOVES (Domestic Violence Education and Services) is helping
spread the word about a very important subject — Teen Dating
Violence. The campaign began is December and involved art
projects at several local schools. During February — TEEN DATING
VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH — the artwork created by students will
be on display at various locations throughout Big Bear Valley.
Students — under the direction of DOVES’ Sarah Gallegos and
Laura Morales — portrayed their ideas of “healthy relationship”
on half of a purple heart and their idea of “unhealthy
relationships” on the other half of the heart. Gallegos, DOVES’
Teen Dating Violence Prevention Specialist, explained in a media
release that the “Our Purple Hearts” campaign was designed to
help both teens and the community become aware of the role that
DOVES has in helping young people develop healthy relationships
and to raise awareness about teen da