What do you wish someone had told you about sex?

It’s okay. You can say it.
The Real Life. Real Talk.^® Coalition sponsored the month-long event "It’s okay. You can say it." The goal was to increase open and honest dialogue about sexual health issues by inviting a variety of participants — community members, local government leaders, celebrities, and business owners — to submit their own stories through postcards and videos and online.

How would YOU answer the question?

Check out other ways you can get involved with New Haven’s Real Life. Real Talk. program:

Come to any of our free programs taking place throughout New Haven.

Join the New Haven Real Life. Real Talk. Coalition. Whether you are a local organization who would like to bring these programs to your parents, or a local parent/caretaker who would like to become a facilitator, there is a place for you!
Contact us for more information.

Tell Us Your Story! Did you attend one of our events from this past year? Do you have a story about your experience or a story to share about the success as a result of attending our event? We want to hear from you!
Submit your story.

The Honorable John DeStefano Jr., Mayor, City of New Haven

State Senator Toni N. Harp, 10th Senatorial District

State Representative Toni Walker, 93rd District

The Honorable Carl Goldfield Esq., President, New Haven Board of Aldermen

Jean G. Lamont, eduINNOVATIONS, LLC

Rev. Dr. Barbara T. Cheney, The Episcopal Church of St. Paul and St. James

Reverend Sara Lamar-Sterling, First & Summerfield United Methodist Church

Shelley Geballe, JD, MPH, President, CT Voices for Children

Dr. Kate Ott, Associate Director, Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing

Dr. Ronald Angoff, President, CT Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics

Dr. Sheryl Ryan, Yale University School of Medicine

Local Partners

AIDS Interfaith Network Services 

Bethel AME Church

Boys & Girls Club of New Haven
The mission of the Boys & Girls Club of New Haven is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens.

Casa Otoñal
Casa Otoñal's mission is to create a community that functions as an extended family. Casa provides a range of housing, social, educational, and cultural services to elders, families, and children, with a focus on strengthening the Latino community.

Channeled Reflections, LLC
Channeled Reflections (CR) is a consultancy that specializes in coaching leaders and developing communication and training initiatives. The agency's services include strategic planning and leadership and team development. CR specializes in organizational development and change that works with leaders to manage by objectives while inspiring organizational growth and development. CR also provides instructional design, benchmarking, and training/workshops on issues ranging from behavioral health to health education and personal development. CR is a full-service agency and partners with Light Speed, LLC.

Children's Community Programs of CT, Inc.
The Children's Community Programs of CT, Inc., is a private, nonprofit, multi-service agency committed to providing diverse and creative support services to children and families throughout Connecticut.

City of New Haven Community Services Administration
The mission of the Community Services Administration (CSA) is to improve the health and quality of life for all New Haven residents through strong collaborative relationships among all CSA departments including: Health, Elderly Services, Children & Families, New Haven Child Development, Youth Services, SAGA Support Services, Office of Substance Abuse & Prevention, and Services to the Homeless.

Cold Spring School
Cold Spring School is an independent day school with approximately 120 students in preschool through sixth grade. Cold Spring School prepares children to be self-reliant, curious, and resourceful problem solvers with the academic and social skills to contribute meaningfully to a diverse community in an ever-changing world.

Community Mediation, Inc., (CM), established in 1980, is a community-based conflict resolution program that uses both staff and trained volunteers to empower individuals, families, organizations, and communities to resolve their own disputes. Community Mediation is a nonprofit organization committed to promoting peace and justice by enabling individuals, groups, and communities to resolve their conflicts themselves through mediation and other nonviolent means. Locally, CM provides staff, trained volunteer mediators, and other resources to resolve disputes. CM also offers training and education to broaden the uses of mediation as a valuable tool in conflict resolution. Community Mediation offers a range of programs which include Teen/Parent Mediation, The Dialogue Project, and Homelessness and Intervention.

Community Alliance for Research and Engagement (CARE)
CARE's mission is to improve the health of New Haven residents through visionary leadership, community engagement, collaborative community-based research, and dissemination of findings. CARE was established in May 2007 as an integral component of the Yale Center for Clinical Investigation (YCCI). A goal of YCCI is to translate research from "bench to bedside." CARE aims to take that one step further — translating research from "bedside to community." CARE provides an unprecedented opportunity to enhance the health of New Haven citizens by fostering rigorous community-based research and by translating scientific breakthroughs into practical benefits.

The Consultation Center
The mission of The Consultation Center is to promote the development of individuals and families, prevent mental disorders and problem behaviors, and enhance the effectiveness of mental health and other human services. The Consultation Center provides services in two areas: prevention and health promotion and service system development. Prevention and health promotion programs are designed for individuals and families across the lifespan, focusing on infants, children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly. Service system development programs provide assistance to organizations and broader service delivery systems. All programs are tailored to fit the particular needs of each group, organization, and/ or community.

Coordinating Council for Children in Crisis, Inc.
The Coordinating Council for Children in Crisis, Inc., (CCCC) envisions a safe family and community environment for all, free of abuse, neglect, and violence.  CCCC works to prevent abuse, neglect, and victimization across the life span and to serve those affected by providing home visitation and outreach, parenting education, family strengthening activities, counseling, and advocacy to children and adults.

Fair Haven Community Health Center
The Mission of the Fair Haven Community Health Center is to provide comprehensive primary health care, delivered through innovative and alternative systems of health delivery, particularly to the residents of Fair Haven; to serve as the central focus for health and safety issues in Fair Haven; enlist local support in an effort to solve these challenges, and to keep policy-making decision power within the Fair Haven community.

First Presbyterian Church of New Haven
The mission of First Presbyterian Church is to welcome all into an environment of personal and spiritual growth through the worship of God; to foster a caring, friendly, and inviting ministry of people who are committed to knowing God, God's will and the teachings of Jesus Christ; to reach out to all with respect and love; and to represent Christ to the world as a sign of healing and hope.

Higher Heights Youth Empowerment Programs, Inc.
Higher Heights Youth Empowerment Programs, Inc., (YEP) is a 501(c)(3) community-based organization that seeks to change the lives of underrepresented college-bound students and empower, equip, and encourage them to obtain a post-secondary education.

Hill Health Center
Hill Health Center is a federally qualified community health center established in 1968 in collaboration between the community and Yale Medical School. The first community health center in Connecticut, the Hill Health Center has a long history of serving New Haven neighborhoods, which are among the poorest in the state. Hill Health Center also provides health care services to the City of West Haven and towns of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Ansonia, Derby, Seymour, Shelton, Naugatuck, and Oxford.

Hispanos Unidos
The mission of Hispanos Unidos is to promote the health and well-being of the Latino community through education, prevention, care, and advocacy. Hispanos Unidos provides services that include case management for persons living with HIV/AIDS, prevention and education, referral services, summer camp for affected children, substance-abuse counseling, support groups, client advocacy, outreach services, and treatment adherence.

JUNTA for Progressive Action, Inc.
Founded in 1969, Junta for Progressive Action, Inc., (JUNTA) is the oldest Latino community-based nonprofit organization in New Haven. Its mission is to provide services, programs, and advocacy that improve the social, political, and economic conditions of the Latino community in greater New Haven; nurturing and promoting its cultural traditions, and building bridges with other communities. JUNTA offers a variety of free programs and services, including adult education (ESL, GED in English and Spanish, computer classes, adult literacy), economic development (employment, financial literacy classes, free income tax preparation services, and micro-loans), legal advocacy, family advocacy/case management, youth services (after-school, summer, and summer camp programs), cultural awareness, and immigrants' rights.

Male Involvement Network (MIN)
The mission of MIN is to support low-income, non-custodial fathers in their efforts to be involved parents and community assets by providing a comprehensive service delivery system, empowering fathers to become nurturing and responsible forces in their children's lives; to impact policy; and promote advocacy.

New Haven Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is a nonprofit organization founded in 1913 with the aim to use its collective strength to promote academic excellence and provide assistance to persons in need. Serving the communities of greater New Haven and greater Bridgeport, the members of the New Haven Alumnae Chapter (NHAC) have been committed to various initiatives promoting scholarship and public service for more than 45 years. The major programs of the sorority are based upon the organization's "Five Point Thrust": economic development, educational development, international awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, and political awareness and involvement.

New Haven Family Alliance
The mission of the New Haven Family Alliance (NHFA) is to improve the quality of life for all families in New Haven. NHFA empowers families to become self-reliant by providing a comprehensive service delivery system, and provides services and resources to foster the development of healthy families. Above all, NHFA believes that families need to be respected and supported at all stages of their development. Programs and services include the Male Involvement Network Program, Intensive Family Preservation and Reunification Program, and Moving to Work.

New Haven Free Public Library
The New Haven Free Public Library provides free and equal access to knowledge and information in an environment conducive to study and resource sharing. Through its collection, media services and programs, the library promotes literacy, reading, personal development and cultural understanding for the individual and the community at large.  The library consists of five branches: Main (Ives) Branch, Fair Haven Branch, Mitchell Branch, Stetson Branch, and the new Wilson Branch. 

New Haven Health Department
The mission of the New Haven Health Department is to create a healthy environment for its citizenry and to be the peoples' advocate in promoting essential public health endeavors. To achieve this, it is necessary to:  ensure community involvement in conducting community assessment, program planning and development; disseminate public health information; collaborate on public-private partnership activities; ensure access to public health and medical services and quality care without duplicating efforts and regardless of one's ability financially, psychologically or socially; and, to be aware of and committed to the population being served.

New Haven Healthy Start
New Haven Healthy Start is a federally funded program designed with a community-driven approach for reducing infant mortality and infant morbidity. New Haven Healthy Start is sponsored by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven in partnership with the City of New Haven, the New Haven Health Department, and the Healthy Start Consortium.

New Haven Public Schools
New Haven Public Schools are committed to ensuring that all students will learn, succeed, think independently and value all people. The Social Development Department of the NHPS provides a comprehensive instructional and support program designed to meet the social development needs of students and their families. This program strives to prevent destructive behaviors such as substance abuse, violence, school dropout, and risky sexual activity.  It promotes positive and responsible attitudes and behaviors through classroom instruction, school, and community activities, and collaborative planning and decision making with parents, teachers, school administrators, and community leaders.

Nurturing Families Network (West Rock)
Nurturing Families Network is a prevention home visiting program for pre/post-natal families. The program is designed to provide comprehensive, integrated services to first-time mothers and fathers in the community in order to strengthen effective parent relationships, as well as establish a continuum of child care and support services for parents and children in need.

Planned Parenthood of Connecticut
The mission of Planned Parenthood of Connecticut (PPC) is to protect the fundamental right of all individuals to manage their own fertility and sexual health, and to ensure access to the services, education, and information to realize that right. PPC provides reproductive health services at 18 health centers across the state and education and training to various communities, and engages activists around a number of legislative issues. Last year, PPC provided services to more than 64,000 women, men, teens, parents, and youth-serving professionals.

Resurrection Lutheran Church
Our mission, based on our faith in God's love and care for all people is to provide life-enhancing and empowering activities for youth and adult residents of the Hill and other parts of New Haven.

The Unitarian Society of New Haven Religious Education Program
Religious education at the Unitarian Society of New Haven is multifaceted - encompassing not only formal content, but also the rich knowing that comes from being an integral part of a living community of seekers - an adventure and a blessing.  The curriculum includes education for youth and adults.

Women and Families Center
The Women and Families Center began its history in 1889 as the YWCA of Meriden. The agency provided daycare and a variety of recreational and social activities for women and children in a small number of surrounding communities. Today, the Women and Families Center is a multi-faceted human service agency providing services throughout Middlesex County and the Greater New Haven area. Many of the services that the Women and Families Center provides include sexual assault crisis services, prevention, and child services.

Yale Child Study Center
The Child Study Center is a department at Yale University School of Medicine that brings together multiple disciplines to further the understanding of the problems of children and families. Among the many disciplines are child psychiatry, pediatrics, genetics, neurobiology, epidemiology, psychology, nursing, social work and social policy. The mission of the Center is to understand child development, social, behavioral, and emotional adjustment, and psychiatric disorders and to help children and families in need of care.

Yale-New Haven Hospital

Yale School of Nursing
Yale University School of Nursing (YSN) is a diverse community of clinicians and scholars with a common goal: better health care for all people. YSN achieves this goal through insightful research and expert care, both of which are informed by a model that empowers patients.