MYO (Mine, Yours, Ours) is an AmeriCorps program addressing teen dating violence affecting schools, communities and health. Teen dating violence, can be devastating at a young age, contributing to failing or dropping out of school, developing eating disorders, participating in risky behaviors such as drug and alcohol use, and thinking about committing suicide. Nearly 1 in 3 teens report experiencing sexual abuse, physical abuse or threats of physical abuse, and nearly 1 in 4 have been victimized through technology, and approximately 1 in 2 teens in relationships report being controlled, threatened or pressured to do things they did not want to do.

MYO AmeriCorps recruits and trains 72 part-time members placed in Greater Bridgeport Area schools in K - 8th grade and in 7 - 9th grade classrooms. Members receive an intensive orientation learning core competencies in youth development, social media, and community-based service work, the AmeriCorps rules and regulations, earn Safe Dates curriculum certification and extensive teen dating violence briefings. Members learn the skills to teach young people during the critical pre-teen and teen years to create and foster positive relationships.

Intimate partner violence is one of our nation's most serious public health problems. In addition to physically injuring women and men, it undermines the fundamental idea of family as a place of support and nurture. Youth who participate in high quality programs make significant academic, social, and emotional gains. For school-aged youth, education, awareness, and an adequate safety net of intervention services, mentoring programs and positive youth-led activities are desperately needed to raise a healthy generation of teens who can relate to each other in positive ways and be secure in who they are and what their risks, rights, and possibilities are.

MYO Members focus on the areas of pop culture analysis, body image and gender norms, leadership development, community organizing, self-reflection, and the rights and responsibilities of relationships. MYO groups for older teens are Arts-themed groups. MYO drama – MYO writing, MYO dance combine as: "MYOnstage" showcasing healthy relationship themes, MYO writing groups focus on the written or spoken word to bring voice to the topic, and MYO dance explores movement as a further way to model these themes. Members lead these groups through the same skill development as the younger groups, but add the arts component. https://www.facebook.com/MYOspace

MYO AmeriCorps is part of RYASAP, the Regional Youth/Adult Social Action Partnership, a coalition of programs, including Public Allies of CT, community partners and public leaders. Program Director, Charlotte Collins’ commitment to the Greater Bridgeport area, AmeriCorps and its members contribute to the effectiveness, strength and growth of the MYO AmeriCorps program. www.ryasap.org/who-we-are

MYO AmeriCorps Members are committed to the ideal that growing up should be healthy, safe, and fun and recognize the power of youth to make positive change in their lives, the lives of their peers, and in the world. www.ryasap.org/americorps