National Runaway Safeline

Every young person who contacts the National Runaway Safeline has their own set of strengths, stories, and challenges. Though every person who contacts us is unique, there are some skills that can greatly benefit young people experiencing all kinds of crises. At the foundation of these skills rests communication and listening which is why they are the focal points of Module 1: Communication and Listening in our free Runaway Prevention Curriculum.

During Module 1 of the Let’s Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum, young people can learn communication and listening skills needed to maintain positive relationships with their friends, family, and peers. Fostering positive connections with their community makes young people feel supported and can go a long way in terms of preventing run episodes.

Module 1 focuses on:

  • Providing youth with active listening skills
  • Identifying common barriers to effective communication
  • Building confidence in youth so they can effectively communicate during a crisis
  • Simulating crisis scenarios so youth can practice problem-solving

This module uses several teaching styles to meaningfully engage everyone involved in the activities. One of the activities is called “Listening to Communicate and Barriers to Communication”. In this activity, students act out what it means to be a good listener and a bad listener with a partner. Afterward, they work together to name the qualities that defined a good vs. bad listener. In addition to identifying these qualities, students reflect on how it felt to be on the receiving end of each of these kinds of listeners. Students can carry this activity with them into their daily lives by using the “Listening Journal” worksheet provided during this session.

Another activity called “Communicating During a Crisis” equips students with skills from the crisis intervention model we use to train all of our crisis line volunteers. Students learn to apply these skills in their own lives when a friend is experiencing crisis. Much like our liners, students are taught to establish rapport, explore facts and feelings, focus on the main issues, and explore options. This model allows the person experiencing a crisis to explore feelings while still remaining focused on developing solutions. Empowering people with these skills allows them to make a positive impact in their peer relationships and at the same time it demonstrates that crises are manageable.

Each module of our curriculum acts as a valuable resource for young folks, but our first module focuses on communication and listening because these skills are fundamental to the rest of our curriculum. We encourage you to look through Module 1 and see how the activities could be beneficial to young people in your community. Learn more about this module and the rest of our Let’s Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum here.

 

Share This Post

Recent Posts

January 2024 Volunteer of the Month

The National Runaway Safeline is thrilled to announce Jackie Barron as the January 2024 volunteer of the month. Jackie’s path to volunteering with NRS was paved with empathy and a desire to make a positive impact. Growing up in a challenging family environment, Jackie often found herself in the “fixer” role (having a keen sense of responsibility, often prioritizing the needs of other before her own), even at a young age. This understanding of adversity and resilience led her to seek out opportunities to give back, ultimately leading her to NRS.

Activating Connections to Prevent Human Trafficking

As we step into a new year, January holds more than the promise of resolutions. It’s a clarion call to confront a pervasive crisis: Human Trafficking Awareness Month. This presidentially designated annual awareness campaign, led by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), unites youth-facing service providers and communities through education about human trafficking and the roles we all play in protecting vulnerable youth. The 2024 theme, “Activate Connections to Prevent Human Trafficking,” is a stark reminder: This fight isn’t for the solitary hero. It’s a collective struggle, demanding connections that safeguard and uplift those at risk or already ensnared in human trafficking’s grip.

Scroll to Top

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings we’ll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the NRS website. 

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings we’ll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the NRS website.