Our Story
At Relationships Awareness, we believe prevention is the foundation of lasting change. Our journey began with the work of Veronica Lopez, a Domestic Violence Prevention Education Specialist at the Community Resource Center. While working in prevention, Veronica saw firsthand the urgent need for programs that go beyond intervention — programs that equip youth with the skills to build healthy, respectful relationships before harm occurs.
She recognized how closely sexual abuse is tied to domestic violence and how our current systems often prioritize intervention over prevention. This realization inspired the creation of The 7 Pillars of Connection — a groundbreaking framework that goes beyond traditional social-emotional learning (SEL) to address the most crucial pillars every child must develop to thrive in life and relationships.
Our Founder
Veronica Lopez has been a Domestic Violence Advocate since 2014, dedicating her career to empowering communities and shaping prevention-focused education. As CEO of Relationships Awareness, she has:
- Educated professionals through the 40-hour Domestic Violence Annual Training
- Served on the Teen Dating Violence Committee, helping develop the Teen Healthy Relationships Conference to provide students with practical tools for connection and safety
- Designed evidence-based, trauma-informed curricula that align with CASEL standards and emphasize holistic wellness
Veronica holds a Bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship from Forbes School of Business, blending her passion for advocacy with the skills to build sustainable, impact-driven programs.
Our Mission
Relationships Awareness exists to transform the way we approach domestic violence prevention. Through the 7 Pillars of Connection, we empower youth, educators, and communities to cultivate resilience, empathy, and healthy boundaries. Our mission is simple yet profound: to shift the focus from intervention to prevention, ensuring every child has the tools to build safe, meaningful relationships.
The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.
Walt Disney
It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.
J. K. Rowling
Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.
Dr. Seuss
Let’s build something together.
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Relationships Awareness 