Posted by Elizabeth Schön Vainer

I cannot wrap my head around the fact that we are in the last weeks of glorious summer days. Knowing that we are entering the Jewish period of reflection before the High Holidays ultimately leading to a new year with new opportunities, I am energized as we prepare for the beginning of another exciting TeenSafe year.

Planning is in full swing, applications are coming in, and we are delighted with a recent front-page article in the Jewish Journal about TeenSafe. Please take a minute and read about our highly successful program that combines teen leadership development with domestic abuse prevention. TeenSafe empowers young people to learn, lead, and laugh together and then encourages these young people to inspire others to do the same.

Each year our pride grows as we watch these young leaders, who are committed to preventing dating abuse among their peers, expand their knowledge and bring their passion formally and informally into the Jewish community.

The program begins in mid-October. Please share TeenSafe information with girls entering 10th or 11th grade who might be interested in participating. Contact Sara Berkowitz at sberkowitz@jfcsboston.org for more information.

Elizabeth Schön Vainer has been the program director of Journey to Safety, the domestic abuse program of JF&CS, since March 2010. Elizabeth is passionate about Journey to Safety's commitment to prevent domestic abuse. She believes that we must work at the individual, community, and legislative levels to shift our societal view that allows abusive behavior to remain so prevalent and damaging. When we focus on speaking up, listening to, and collaborating with others we can have a real impact. Prior to working at JF&CS, Elizabeth worked for 25 years in victim services at both the Middlesex and Suffolk County District Attorney's offices. Elizabeth holds a BSW from the University of Tel Aviv and a MS in organization and management from Antioch University.