Expect Respect
Expect Respect® works at the forefront of prevention and intervention to break the cycle of abuse in young people’s lives and prevent violence from happening in the first place.
The program supports 5th graders* who have been exposed to violence and engages them as leaders in creating safer schools and communities. *Individuals who have been socialized and/or identify as female, including cisgender girls, cisgender women, transgender persons, and non-binary individuals.
Youth participate in 16-week curriculum-based sessions where they practice self-regulation and healthy coping skills, learn to identify violence and abuse, develop healthy friendship skills, and experience a sense of belonging and connection. All services are free, confidential, and provided during or after the school day.
Interested and/or ready to register? Contact us via email or by phone at 515.244.4901.
Downloadable Expect Respect® Flier
Expect Respect® with the YWRC is a program developed by SAFE, and the Expect Respect® mark and logo are owned by SAFE in Austin, TX, and used under license.
Related Programs
After School Groups
The Young Women’s Resource Center holds weekly after school groups for young women in the Des Moines area in 5th through 12th grades. These groups explore a variety of topics such as body image, self-esteem, reproductive health and healthy relationships. They include hands-on activities, field trips, guest speakers and community service projects. (Groups are currently held online and meet in a virtual space. Project-specific activity kits are provided for participants.)
Better Beginnings Doula Program
The term doula comes from ancient Greek which means, “a woman who serves”. Today Birth Doulas provide practical, emotional, physical, spiritual and informational support. Birth doulas stand by their clients during pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Doulas aim to empower clients to have the birth they want, as well as have autonomy over their birth and body.
Childbirth Education Group
Held at the Young Women’s Resource Center, the Pregnancy and Birth Support Group provides comprehensive pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum education for young women and their partners.