Creative Actions for Equality (CAFE)
Texas’ statewide youth engagement project integrates youth-centered creative arts action plans that zero in on three core themes that promote an end to dating abuse: Gender Equality, Healthy Relationships, Nonviolence.
The toolkit provides several approaches for bringing media, art, and creativity into the prevention classroom. It includes 12 lessons, or actions, for teens which focus on responding to cultural messages. Material includes online videos, music, fine arts, theater, and writing.
This toolkit provides prevention educators working in schools with a valuable resource that engages youth to choose among twelve creative actions that raise awareness of teen dating violence. It employs varied teaching methods, including facilitating discussion using multiple forms of media - art, videos, music, news - to encourage youth to consider the issue and take action.
A sample calendar is included that supports launching the activity to raise awareness of Teen Dating Violence as a school-wide or community based activity February’s TDV Awareness Month.
Training: A Facilitators Guide is part of the Toolkit that is available and has guidelines for setting the groundwork for this project, creating timelines and tips for coordinating and facilitating with youth participants.
Capacity: Facilitators are defined in this toolkit as “people who create and coordinate learning environments. A facilitator designs spaces where all are respected, oppression is challenged and young people are at the center.” Experience with facilitating dialogue and promoting youth leadership will be helpful in implementing this program effectively. School readiness and capacity to highlight activities and promote youth leadership is a consideration.
