Penn's Youth Initiative – Optimal Health for PA Youth

Are you a Lion, Otter, Beaver, or Golden Retriever?

Relational & Emotional Learning that Promotes Positive Relationships

Presentations For in-person, Hybrid, & Virtual programs

Risk prevention makes sense in a COVID era.

Educators and youth workers know that the needs of today’s young people are complex, with an increased vulnerability to risky behaviors.

Penn’s Youth Initiative partners with schools and youth organizations to help meet some of the ‘easily missed’ social and emotional needs by offering interactive programming that is fun and engaging.

PYI Affiliates in Pennsylvania

Our Program Explores

Self-Identity
Setting Boundaries
Now Goals for Later Dreams
Friendship, Dating, & Love
Navigating Conflict
Understanding Others’ Perspectives
Media Influences
Relationship Red Flags
Whole Person Health
Consent
Breakup Skills

Presentations from Penn’s Youth Initiative empower, encourage and educate students to desire, value and seek out healthy relationships.

Our program uses the highly acclaimed REAL Essentials curricula in the classroom and is suited for both middle and high school students. This curricula is specifically designed to help young people develop skills necessary to form healthy relationships, setting their lives up for long-term success.

High school and middle school presentations

Dynamic, interactive
lesson plans

Risk prevention strategies that affirm individual worth

LIVE remote learning classroom presentations available

Age-appropriate, inclusive, and trauma-informed

Student Feedback

Tell Me More

Select your county to learn more about programs available in your area.

Relational & Emotional Learning that Promotes Positive Relationships

Presentations For in-person, Hybrid, & Virtual programs

Risk prevention makes sense in a COVID era.

PYI Affiliates in Pennsylvania

Our Program Explores

Student Feedback

"I learned what infatuation is."

"I learned that social media can impact our lives."

"I feel like it opened my eyes and I realized that I'm not going to need a boyfriend for awhile."

"This lesson was helpful because I've been through a really hard breakup, and I wish I had these thoughts and this knowledge that I do now, back then."

"I learned to take care of myself a lot more emotionally."

"I learned a lot about who I am as well as how to relate with others better."

"I feel better about myself."

"I learned [...] how to deal with a break up."

"I learned how to talk to someone about an unhealthy relationship."

"I liked the whole program and how interactive it was. I like how encouraging it was, and helped me feel better about myself."

"I learned that I need to work on myself before I get into a relationship again or when I do."

"I learned how to make myself feel better."

"I feel like [this class] helps people when they feel down."

"I learned what healthy relationships look like."

"I learned that in relationships, it is important to make sure your partner respects you, your boundaries and decisions."

"I feel more confident to go into a relationship."

Tell Me More

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PYI Affiliates in Pennsylvania

Programming for Positive Youth Development in Adams County

Programming for Positive Youth Development in Berks County

Programming for Positive Youth Development in Franklin County

Programming for Positive Youth Development in Lancaster County

Programming for Positive Youth Development in Lehigh & Northampton Counties

Programming for Positive Youth Development in Lehigh & Northampton Counties

Programming for Positive Youth Development in York County

Programming for Positive Youth Development in Schuylkill County