This workshop gives students in grades 6–12 the opportunity to learn a wide variety of techniques to combat stress in their daily lives. The program begins with an interactive stress test, where students examine their physical and emotional reactions to stress. We then discuss the importance of positive coping mechanisms to combat stress and highlight how negative coping mechanisms often produce more stress. Students explore the top five stressors in their lives and brainstorm healthy ways of coping with and managing that stress.

We then lead students through progressive muscle relaxation and a guided visualization. The goal is for students to learn how to better identify, cope with, and manage stress in their lives.

Book this Program

To bring this program to your school, organization, or another venue, complete this form.

This program teaches students in grades 9–12 to actively and effectively work together in groups. We work to create unity through games focused on communication, trust, leadership, cooperation, teamwork, self-esteem, and creativity. During the program, participants get the chance to work in small groups, large groups, and pairs, where they are asked to complete different tasks. Once the tasks have been completed, we process the different skills needed to reach the ultimate goal of good teamwork.

Participants will engage in improvisation, build and create final products, learn interesting facts about their peers, and more.

Book this Program

To bring this program to your school, organization, or another venue, complete this form.

The Clothesline Project is a visual, interactive presentation honoring survivors and remembering those who have died as a result of domestic and sexual violence. In this program, participants in grades 6–12 begin by discussing the origin and purpose of the Clothesline Project. We then hang a clothesline containing multi-colored t-shirts that, over the course of the project’s existence, have been created and decorated by abuse survivors or in memory of individuals who have been abused. Following the viewing of the clothesline, trained facilitators debrief with youth in small groups. Participants affected by domestic and sexual violence also have the opportunity to create and contribute their own t-shirts. As this can be a very emotional presentation, professional clinical support from Response for Teens is provided throughout.

Watch a video about The Clothesline Project filmed by Response for Teens Advisory Council member Hollis Russinof:

Book this Program

To bring this program to your school, organization, or another venue, complete this form.

This comprehensive sex education program for teens in grades 6–12 covers three main areas:

• Male/Female anatomy using anatomically-correct models
• General information on the most common STIs/STDs seen today
• The most common methods of contraceptives, including a condom demonstration

Students will be given all the information necessary to make educated decisions about safer sex. We provide a safe and open environment where students are encouraged to ask questions. 

Book this Program

To bring this program to your school, organization, or another venue, complete this form.

This program is designed to help teens in grades 6–12 identify the differences between healthy and unhealthy relationships. Our goal is to increase awareness and offer tools for teens to help themselves or others who might be in unhealthy relationships. We use interactive discussions to address media influences, peer pressure, personal rights, self-esteem, the cycle of abuse and more.Through experiential activities such as case studies, relationship questionnaires, and a relationship “Bill of Rights,” we work to build awareness and confidence in teenagers to make wise choices when they begin the dating process.

Book this Program

To bring this program to your school, organization, or another venue, complete this form.

Common Questions about Leadership

What makes a good leader?

You may have heard the phrase “natural born leader.” While it’s true that some people are naturally good at making people like and listen to them, at Response for Teens, we believe anyone can be a good leader if they develop the right skills. These include:

• Being a good listener. Taking the time to listen to others’ ideas, concerns, and thoughts (and responding appropriately) is essential to good leadership.
• Being a good communicator. Great leaders clearly describe their ideas and honestly express their thoughts (without being rude).
• Being a delegator. Don’t try to do everything yourself. A good leader knows when to delegate (assign tasks to others), which helps team members feel included and important.
• Being calm and confident. Believe in yourself, and others will believe in you—especially in challenging situations.

For more qualities of successful leaders, check out this Huffington Post article written by a youth advisor to the United Nations.

Does being a leader mean that I have to tell people what to do?

Not all the time! Some leaders will tell others exactly what to do in certain situations. But other leaders in other situations will let their team take the lead. They may create a plan for how to handle a specific problem, but let others carry out that plan. Or they may let everyone work together equally, stepping in only to solve disagreements or make suggestions if the team gets stuck. Part of being a good leader is learning how much control to take at any given time.

I like taking charge, but sometimes people say I’m too bossy. Am I a bad leader?

No—and it’s a shame to be put down for something you enjoy doing. When this happens, it’s often because of circumstances beyond your control. Being accused of bossiness may be due to your gender or gender presentation (for instance, more feminine people are sometimes called “bossy” when they are just stating their opinion). Or it may be that others are intimidated by (or jealous of) your leadership skills, and they’re reacting defensively.

So how do you deal with it? First, try not to take it personally—and don’t ever stop being your true self. Second, if you feel comfortable talking to the person or people who called you bossy, do it. Maybe it was a misunderstanding, or maybe you can learn from each other about what you feel makes a good leader. Finally, do a quick self-check on the situation. Did you make others feel listened to and respected? Did you give them a chance to contribute their own ideas and talents? If not, maybe it’s an opportunity to hone your leadership skills further.

How do I become a leader?

As a teen, you may not yet have the opportunities that adult leaders have, like running for office or leading a business. But there are still tons of opportunities out there for you to pursue. You can acquire leadership skills by joining clubs, tutoring younger children, interning at an organization you admire, or volunteering for a cause you care deeply about.

You can also seek out the great adult leaders in your life and ask them to share advice and experiences that helped them lead well. Who knows—they might be able to find an opportunity for you, whether it’s a volunteer position, a job, or something else that helps develop your own leadership skills.

Alliance is Response for Teens' summer program for LGBTQ teens and allies. We offer a series of fun, LGBTQ-focused events all summer long for you and your friends. Join us!

While there is no Alliance this summer, stay tuned for next year!  If you are interested in summer programming, check out Hearts, Minds, and Heavy Breathing: A Summer program for peer health advocates.

Here’s where you’ll find answers to questions about LGBTQ issues, sexual orientation, and gender identity, and links to our other LGBTQ resources.

This interactive program aims to educate students in grades 4–6 about the physical and emotional changes they will experience during this stage of development. Puberty is often a challenging and confusing time for young people; a time when they may experience significant changes in their relationships. Our curriculum addresses these changes and discusses the importance of establishing physical and emotional boundaries, communicating limits, and identifying healthy relationships.

The Response for Teens staff creates a safe and inclusive environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and discussing difficult topics.

Our goal is to ensure that every student leaves with a comprehensive understanding of the physical, emotional and relational aspects of puberty.

Book this Program

To bring this program to your school, organization, or another venue, complete this form.

Having difficulty with your child’s coming-out process? Need some information on gender identity? Want to speak with another parent of an LGBTQ child who has experienced what you’re experiencing? Parent & Family Connection is a support and education group for Jewish parents and family members of LGBTQ youth and young adults. Our program consists of monthly meetings, a peer mentoring program, and community events.

Join Parent & Family Connection

To learn more about Parent & Family Connection, contact:

Sara Manewith
773.516.5507

Send a request to join Parent & Family Connection