Our Healthy Relationship classes for teens cover many aspects of a sometimes-tricky part of life. We speak about respect, boundaries and how relationships aren’t perfect, but they can be deeply fulfilling when nurtured intentionally. We also talk about dating and being social and doing it safely. One of the methodologies of being a safe teen is relying on parents to help if or when things get weird. On Ranker, I found a nice strategy for a safe, face-saving extraction from th

This is the first in a series of articles on information and strategies that you'll need to know in your quest for freedom from an abusive partner. If you’re in a relationship that feels unsafe, you may not be ready—or able—to leave right now. That’s more common than people think. A safety plan isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about taking small, thoughtful steps to help protect yourself in ways that feel possible for you. What Is a Safety Plan? A safety plan is a sim

Sometimes, a song can be uplifting and carry someone from deep despair and regret to hope and empowerment. This month's DVITA choice is " The Reckoning " by Halestorm. It's not a new song from them, but it's one of the best. From "megbby1"- " As someone who survived an abusive relationship, this song has so much meaning for me. Love it so much it gives me goosebumps. Thanks, Halestorm for giving a voice to everything I've felt but couldn't really say ." Then there's this from

It's April and time is running out to get your class on the schedule for this spring. This information is essential for students to navigate the complexities of adolescence and the perfect addition to SEL and health education goals. There is no cost to you. We'll talk about: Skills to express feelings and needs effectively Building self-esteem and self-worth to foster confidence in relationships How to recognize unhealthy relationship behaviors and utilize strategies to resis

This month is a two-fer. First, I found a video from the band Rise Against that should've been with last month's post about bullying. If you're a teacher, you have to show this in class. This is such a great song. " Make it stop " was released in 2011 as the second single from Rise Against's sixth studio album, Endgame . It was inspired by a series of tragic teen suicides in September 2010, including Tyler Clementi, Billy Lucas, Harrison Chase Brown, Cody J. Barker, Seth Wals

We're almost through Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. To wrap it up, here's a quick guide for parents with tips on how to approach this subject- and how to handle an issue. A Quick Guide for Parents of Teens What Does a Healthy Teen Relationship Look Like? Mutual respect Honest communication Trust Independence and personal boundaries Conflict handled without fear or intimidation Healthy relationships support teens’ confidence, growth, and emotional well-being. It should

This month's selection was difficult to choose. If you read the In the News post on bullying on this website, you'll have an idea where this is coming from. If you search "songs about bullying", there's a list of over 60 different titles from artists like Korn, Hunter Hayes, Katie Perry, Taylor Swift, Shinedown, Rage Against the Machine- it's a huge list. My choice for this series this month was Morgan Frazier's "Hey Bully". Here's a song that is aimed at exactly the demograp

Recently, a Central Illinois teen committed suicide due to bullying. That is unacceptable. This is something serious—and important. Bullying isn’t ‘just words.’ It can pile up until someone feels trapped, invisible, or hopeless. And no one deserves to feel that way. Ever. If you’re a teen and being bullied, I need you to hear this: what’s happening to you is not your fault. You don’t have to handle it alone. Even if you’ve tried telling someone before and nothing changed, t

My wife and I were watching TV over the weekend and a character in the show "The Mentalist" made an astoundingly insightful comment to a survivor of a crime that was allowing what happened to her ruin her life. She said " your trauma doesn't define you. YOU define your trauma." That quote packs a lot into a short line. “Your trauma doesn’t define you. You define your trauma.” To me, it’s about agency and meaning. The first half pushes back against identity getting swallowed b

💜 We’re Looking for Fundraiser Volunteers! 💜 Do you LOVE to throw a party??? Sojourn Shelter & Services is seeking passionate community members to help plan our upcoming 7th annual fundraiser in October in support of services for our clients. If you enjoy event planning, brainstorming ideas, organizing details, or simply want to make a meaningful difference, we would love to have you on our team! No prior experience is required—just a caring heart and a willingness to help

This is a song styled like a Wild West movie! But, at its core, Gunpowder & Lead by Miranda Lambert is a story of a woman preparing to defend herself from an abusive partner who is being released from jail. The song is written from her perspective as she steels herself for what she believes is an inevitable confrontation. The writer (Lambert) doesn’t romanticize the situation; she presents it with blunt honesty. The narrator isn’t seeking revenge for her own sake — she’s pre

Prim-er ['prīmər] noun 1. a foundational resource designed to introduce the basic concepts of a subject. Healthy relationships are essential for students as they navigate the complexities of adolescence. Understanding what constitutes a healthy relationship is crucial in preventing issues such as emotional manipulation, bullying, and other forms of abuse. Centered around this premise, Sojourn has developed a classroom primer you can utilize for your classes that focuses on t

Kids are a part of domestic violence that is sometimes set aside. "They didn't see it, so it doesn't hurt them" is a sentiment that's common, ignoring the fact that even if they weren't in the room, they still see the signs. This song addresses family disfunction, emotional trauma and a child's desperate plea for a family that's intact and stable. And, because we're in the Holiday season, I thought a song from a child's perspective would be appropriate. Family Portrait is a

Did you know that in the United States, Giving Tuesday has become a major part of the holiday season? Wait! Did I just start an article with a question? YEP! And, as the charitable counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the day encourages people to shift their focus toward helping others. This consistent annual structure is what confirms the date for 2025 as December 2nd. So , pick your favorite not-for-profit (hopefully us!) and give a little toward their mission. I

Donating to causes you care about has always been a meaningful way to make a difference. Now, a recent change in IRS law makes it easier for more people to benefit from their generosity. If you have not itemized your taxes in the past, this update allows you to claim tax deductions for charitable donations to Sojourn Shelter & Services. This change opens new doors for supporters who want to help but were previously unsure about the tax benefits. This post explains how the new

"Songs that talk about domestic abuse don’t just narrate stories of pain and suffering. They also convey messages of strength, resilience, and hope." That's a great quote about the song “Two Beds and a Coffee Machine” by Savage Garden, from the album "Affirmation". What struck me about this song was that you can tell it wasn't written to be sung along to or as a toe-tapper. It's a heart-breaking missive about a mother cleaning up the mess and then fleeing with her kids from a

Want a way to help someone that would really appreciate being remembered during this holiday season? Our Peace Tree List on Amazon shows items we are needing for shelter or gifts for our clients during the holiday season. With a click of a button, all items can be sent directly to our facility helping all of our clients in need. We appreciate any efforts made toward our clients. Items are due back to the shelter no later than Wednesday, December 17, 2025. Questions? 217-726-

This year's "Stand-Up for Sojourn!" was the funniest ever! After a brief introduction from Angela Bertoni, Sojourn's CEO, Donnie B. came up to the mic and said a few words about his comedian and his upcoming season. Then, the evening began with Mr. Showtime engaging the audience in shenanigans and hilarity! He topped it off with a medley of hit songs- from the Knack to Taylor Swift to Michael McDonald, changing into the appropriate outfits from clothing he was already wearing

October was first declared as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in 1989. Since then, it has been a time to acknowledge domestic...

Understanding the Song's Themes This month's entry into our series is from Eminem, featuring Rihanna in the song "Love the Way You Lie." This hip-hop track delves into the confusing patterns of abuse and reconciliation that can occur between people who are attracted to one another. It highlights how their emotions can often manifest in harmful ways. The song itself presents a contradiction. Rihanna's melodic voice conveys a sense of melancholy with the line, "You just watch m