T.A.D.A. Teens Against Dating Abuse

The community I am helping is Mille Lacs County and Pearl Crisis Center, which is located in Milaca, MN. Our community is small and the county covers three towns, Milaca, Princeton, and Onamia. Pearl Crisis Center has a group of teens called T.A.D.A. which stands for “Teens Against Dating Abuse.” T.A.D.A. consists of 90 members, ages 10-18 from Mille Lacs County. I coordinate the T.A.D.A. group and our mission is to educate the community and prevent teen dating abuse through exposure of our group and providing direct services to victims of abuse. Research shows that “1 in 10 high schools students in Mille Lacs County said they were physically hurt by someone they dated” (Pearl Crisis Center, 2005). Research also shows that “1 in 6 boys and 1 in 4 girls will have been sexually assaulted by the age of 18”(sacasa.org). This is a very important issue to target and change. I believe change starts with our young people. I believe I am the right person to solve this problem because I consider myself a leader. I take the individual teens where they are at in life and teach them how to grow and flourish in their purpose. Leading the members of the T.A.D.A. group is particularly fulfilling to me because I believe anyone can change their behavior if they choose. Preparing the teens to be effective leaders and examples in our community is my main objective.