Hi, CV!

We started our Teen Trials & Tribulations program to bring topics of broad interest to CV. In November we discussed emotional intelligence.

Daniel Goleman identified five components of emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-regulation, internal motivation, empathy and social skills (www.sonoma.edu). Melina Sardar, MA, illustrated this concept by sharing a story. A cousin who bullied her as a child became a professional colleague. When the cousin didn’t stop a conversation to say good morning, memories of past bullying were triggered. Melina got so worked up she considered quitting. Fortunately a wise person counseled her to stop and think about her emotions and to talk to her cousin. Turns out they were planning a party for another colleague. It wasn’t about her at all.

Now she helps others stop and reflect, and shared an exercise to develop participants’ coping skills. If you want to learn more, contact her at Ark Family Center, Inc., Melina@arkfamilycenter.org.

On Dec. 11 we’ll talk about teen dating violence from 7:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at CV High, 2900 Community Ave., in the library. Please bring your child and join us!

I’m advancing the December talk because the title, “What is a Healthy Teen Dating Relationship?” and the speaker, Rosanna Cacace, MA, health educator, Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley, might make you think it’s about sex, condoms and abortion. It’s not, so correct any false assumption, please. This talk came out of a presentation we co-hosted, “Demystifying Domestic Violence,” and Rosanna’s shocking presentation. I asked her to talk about the connection between underage drug and alcohol use and violent dating relationships. Turns out 50% of teens reported knowing someone in a bad relationship, i.e. greedy demands, coercive behavior, disrespect, isolation from friends, emotional manipulation, and 30% reported being in one of those relationships! While girls are usually dominated, boys are, too. Rosanna said we need to teach our kids what a good relationship looks like, so I jumped at the chance to bring her to CV. Please bring your sons and daughters with you. It might not be about them, but it could be their friend.

Suzy Jacobs
is the executive director of
CV Alliance located at  
3131 Foothill Blvd. Suite D
La Crescenta, CA 91214
(818) 646-7867  http://cv-alliance.org/

  Suzy JACOBS