Hundreds of teenagers and their families will gather at the Wheaton Community Recreation Center on Sunday, April 6, for an event that promotes healthy relationships among young people and hopes to prevent violence when dating.
The event, running from 1 to 4 p.m., features a resource fair and festival with free food, entertainment, and interactive activities such as Zumba, boxing, and yoga. Organizers will announce the winners of the Choose Respect Student PSA Video Contest, awarding a top prize of $1,000.
Organizers stress the importance of early discussions about healthy dating relationships. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found approximately one in 12 U.S. high school students who dated in the previous year experienced physical or sexual dating violence.
The event provides teens with resources and knowledge to prevent dating violence and build respectful relationships. The recreation center is located at 11701 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring.
