REXBURG—As concern for the next generation and online safety arises; one Rexburg couple has decided to combat online safety concerns through their new organization. Dean and Kristin Coleman run a volunteer-led, community-based organization, Upper Valley SAFE Initiative.
The SAFE Initiative is an acronym for Safety, Awareness, Freedom, and Education. The focus is to help families, parents, and children with internet safety.
“The areas of emphasis and focus that we have for the organization to focus on raising awareness, providing education, and empowering families, parents, and children to be able to do battle against the influences that they're facing in their homes and to be able to address the areas of vulnerability that we face.” Dean Coleman said.
The Upper Valley SAFE Initiative is teaming up with the Rexburg Police Department and Madison County Sheriff's Office for a workshop on April 25 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Madison Jr High auditorium.
“The real goal is that people leave feeling like they have practical tools that maybe their insight, their idea about digital safety changes, but in a good way that they are more dialed into what's really happening, that it strengthens the relationships with their children,” Kristin Coleman said.
There will be several classes and a keynote speaker, BYU-Idaho Professor Scott Pope will speak on the digital effect has in our lives today.
“We don't want people to come and feel like they're listening to a lecture, but to be able to ask questions, to learn,” Kristin Coleman said.
“And, then one of the most significant things that we're going to be demonstrating that day is a school rollout that we just did the beta for just the last two months, which teaches children how to be safe in every aspect of their life,” Kristin Coleman said.
The Coleman’s encourage parents, grandparents, educators, and mental health professionals to attend.
“It is a way to engage in a meaningful way, in a proactive way to arm yourself and equip yourself with the knowledge and tools that you need to be successful,” Dean Coleman said.
The Upper Valley SAFE Initiative works with all kinds of volunteers: therapists, law enforcement, Internet Crimes Against Children, educators, case managers, interns, etc.
To learn more information, follow their Instagram @uppervalleysafeinitiative.