At the age of 12, Albany Demouchet is learning what is and is not love.
“There is so much that goes on and I had no clue about abuse and how bad people can be,” Albany said. “When I went, it was so informational and it touched me and I had to keep going.”
Albany is just one of the dozens of pre-teens and teens who take part in the Faith House program “Love is…”
For one week these girls get a chance to open up about relationships and ask those tough questions.
“Children don’t tell their parents everything,” Kristen Boutte, education coordinator at Faith House, said. “They don’t let them know they’re dating, sometimes, because they’re not allowed to date. It becomes hidden and they feel like they’re unable to get help because they’re going to get in trouble for dating in the first place.”
As Kristen points out, abuse does not know age. It can start as early as 12 and does not necessarily have to be coming from a partner.
“This can happen in a friendship,” Kristen explains. “Friends can try and take control over you and can become jealous of you. If it’s a bad friendship then you have to figure out why and figure out how to fix it or get out it.”
The “Love is…” summer camp is free, but you do have to register.
· Vermilion Parish: June 4th- 6th at Vermilion Parish Library Abbeville, La (9:30 am-1:30 pm)
· Lafayette Parish: June 24th – 26th Golden Corral Lafayette, La (9:30 am – 1:30 pm)
· St. Landry Parish:. July 9th- 11th at Evangeline Downs Hotel (9:00 am-1:00 pm)
· Avoyelles Parish: July 24th & 25th at Hampton Inn Mansura, La (9:30 am – 1:30 pm)
For more information and to register contact Kristen at 337.267.9422 or go online to faithhouseacadiana.com.
