Youth Helping Us Grow Sexually (Y-H.U.G.S) - Helping Us Grow Sexually, LLC (H.U.G.S) operates the Youth Helping Us Grow Sexually (YH.U.G.S) Program, a sexual risk avoidance education initiative serving youth ages 10–19 throughout Washington, DC, and Prince George's County, Maryland. Funded through the General Departmental Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (GD-SRAE) Program, Y-H.U.G.S equips young people with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to build healthy relationships, make informed decisions, and pursue positive life goals through the implementation of the Love Notes 4.1 curriculum within a Positive Youth Development framework. Y-H.U.G.S provides age-appropriate and engaging programming that helps adolescents strengthen communication skills, practice healthy decision-making, build self-regulation, and develop healthy relationship behaviors. Through interactive discussions, role-playing, group activities, and real-world scenarios, youth gain practical skills that empower them to navigate peer pressure, establish healthy boundaries, and make choices that support their long-term well-being. H.U.G.S continued to strengthen relationships with schools, families, and community organizations to create a broader network of support for youth. Parent engagement sessions, leadership meetings, facilitator training, and participation in national professional conferences expanded the program's reach while reinforcing high-quality implementation and curriculum fidelity. The organization also invested in onboarding and training new facilitators to support continued program growth and sustainability. Y-H.U.G.S, the program is poised for significant expansion through new school and community partnerships, enhanced summer programming, continued workforce development, and anticipated collaboration with Prince George's County Public Schools. H.U.G.S will also share its innovative approach and program outcomes at the Healthy Teen Network Conference, further contributing to the national conversation on adolescent health and Positive Youth Development. By combining evidence-based education with meaningful youth engagement, family involvement, and strong community partnerships. Y-H.U.G.S is helping young people develop the knowledge, confidence, and life skills needed to build healthy relationships, avoid unnecessary risk behaviors, and thrive throughout adolescence and into adulthood.
