School-Based Programs

School should be a safe place.

But, if you’re a student who’s being abused by a boyfriend or girlfriend who also attends your school, safety is no longer a given. In fact, school has probably become a pretty scary place.

Dating abuse.  It’s a wide-spread problem, and to help combat it and prevent it, Spruce Run’s School-Based Programs bring together parents, students, teachers, and administrators. Then we work to foster a coordinated response to abuse within the school community by…

• Training teachers, administrators, and staff.
• Engaging parents so they become part of the school community’s response.
• Educating students and youth.
• Sponsoring events to raise awareness about teen dating abuse.
• Incorporating messages about abuse and healthy relationships in the classroom.
• Making appropriate referrals for support and assistance.
• Helping to develop teen dating abuse policies.

We offer presentations in middle and high schools throughout Penobscot County. Our goal is to integrate information about domestic and dating abuse and healthy relationships into students’ educational experience. Our presentations can be customized for any school or situation, but usually the topics we cover include…

• Characteristics of unhealthy vs. healthy relationships.
• How to identify the warning signs of abuse.
• How to help a friend who is in an unhealthy relationship.
• How gender roles in our society contribute to abuse.
• Respectful and appropriate ways to communicate with friends and family.
• Who to talk to when something significant happens.
• Information about Spruce Run services.

We know that many students have been or are affected by domestic and dating abuse. So we try to make a connection with students so they are comfortable enough to reach out to Spruce Run. Our school-based advocates can visit schools to meet with students and teachers at their request.

We encourage parents, teachers, and administrators who want help and support – or to learn more about how to help others – to contact us. If you’d like to schedule a program or speaker at your school contact us at 207.945.5102.

If someone is abusing you – or if you’re concerned about a son, daughter, friend or student – call our hotline at 1.800.863.9909.

Contact us for information about how you can help combat domestic and dating abuse in your community.  Want to help right away?  Donate to Spruce Run today.

Over the years, the impact of the presentation by Spruce Run in my classroom has always produced positive results. It leaves my students with a heightened awareness of a social problem that needs to be addressed again and again.  -Andy Frace, Sociology Teacher, Hampden Academy  

I recognized some areas of my relationship with my girlfriend that I could improve on to create a healthier relationship. -9^th Grade Student, Lee Academy