This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Community Coffee House to Celebrate Healthy Relationships

Celebrate the talents of Melrose on Saturday, February 8, at a Community Coffee House to mark Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Month. This event will feature music and spoken-word performances centered around the themes of friendship, love, and relationships.

The Community Coffee House is being organized by Lilah Drafts-Johnson and Katarina Frazier, seniors at Melrose High School. Scheduled performers include MHS and MVMMS students and community members, including MHS Seniors Alyssa Abbott, Andrew Claxton, and Lilah Drafts-Johnson; MHS Faculty Member Joe Parillo; local musician Bill McQuaid; and Melrose resident Kris Rodilico.  Performances will include blues and pop singers, instrumental performances, and poetry.

“I’ve been moved by music, and I’ve been moved by the power of the arts in Melrose,” says Drafts-Johnson. “Our goal is to use music and the arts to spread the message of healthy relationships.”

Find out what's happening in Melrosewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Many middle and high school students are constantly seeking ways to express emotions - happiness, sadness, hope, frustration, care and concern, and anger.  I have always believed that musical and artistic expression is a very healthy way to communicate these human feelings, whether you are a teenager or an adult,” says MHS Guidance Counselor Joe Parillo, who will perform at the event. “On February 8, students and adults in the community will have the chance to share and celebrate music and the arts as a way to promote the spirit and importance of healthy relationships in all aspects of our lives.”   

The Coffee House will take place on Saturday, February 8 from 7:00 to 9:00pm at Temple Beth Shalom, 21 East Foster Street in Melrose. All are welcome and admission is free, with a suggested donation of $5. Seating is limited and refreshments will be sold.

Find out what's happening in Melrosewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The event is being sponsored by the Safe STEPS for Teens Task Force, a joint project of the Melrose Public Schools and the Melrose Alliance Against Violence. February is nationally recognized as Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Month, and the Safe STEPS Task Force is planning additional events throughout the month, including a PSA contest at MHS and a parent workshop on social networking. For more information, visit maav.org.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?