ASPIRE Relationship Education, established in 2015, was founded to educate, equip, and empower individuals to make positive choices, have healthy relationships, and purpose to become who they ASPIRE to be! Now more than ever, it is imperative for young people to be empowered to foster healthy relationships with themselves and others. We partner with schools, clubs, community organizations, families, and mentors to share our message and empower our community through holistic relationship education and community empowerment initiatives. Our holistic relationship education programs use a primary prevention health model and social-emotional learning techniques to educate, equip, and empower individuals to fully comprehend the interconnected parts of relationships with others and themselves while also providing information, support, and resources to bolster optimal health.

Our program participants demonstrate increased knowledge and skill confidence, and an overall appreciation for the information shared throughout our time together.

78%

INCREASE IN SKILL CONFIDENCE

Participants overall average skill confidence increased by 16% post-program. In total, 49% of the participants indicated that they “strongly agree” they possess the necessary skills, post- program, with the majority of the shift coming from “Undecided”. Data indicates that skills for some were defined, while for others they were strengthened, in regards to their perceived ability to refrain from sexual activity and focus primarily on building healthy relationships. We believe that there is a direct correlation between the increase in the number of those choosing to postpone sexual activity, nearly 60% Nationally, and the encouraging, equipping messages given by ASPIRE’s SMART Program and other Sexual Risk Avoidance programs throughout the country.

56%

INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE

Participants increased in their knowledge of the risks associated with sexual activity and pregnancy by 73.04% and STI/STDs by 69.73% through ASPIRE’s SMART program. Survey results indicate that participants became more knowledgeable of the risks of engaging in sexual activity. Abstinence until in a long-term monogamous relationship is the most effective method to avoid unplanned pregnancy and contracting STIs. Sexual health is an important ingredient in achieving optimal health.

Through our SMART program, serving Greater Lansing for over 25 years, our goal is to help youth understand the risks of sexual activity and how to avoid them, identify and reinforce their personal goals and physical boundaries, learn the difference between healthy versus unhealthy relationships, and how to best protect themselves from the negative outcomes of risk behaviors like early sex, and drug use.

Your support helps us continue moving our mission forward: investing time, energy, and resources into empowering individuals through holistic relationship education and community empowerment initiatives that inspire hope, support healthy lives, encourage a culture of respect, and help individuals purpose to become who they ASPIRE to be.