Teen Relationship Education and Empowerment (TREE) is a Columbia, Mo., community organization comprised largely of volunteers. TREE is governed by an advisory committee and coordinated by the Rev. Kim Gage Ryan. It receives administrative, technical and fund raising support from the University of Missouri’s Center on Religion & the Professions.
TREE’s mission is to equip faith communities with resources to educate and empower youth for nonviolent, healthy relationships.
TREE serves religious communities of all faiths located in Boone County. If you would like more information about TREE, please contact the Rev. Kim Ryan at (573) 489-2729.
Local groups and other resources
TREE has compiled a list of local, regional and national resources that can be found here.
Online resources
TREE has also put together some web-based resources to guide discussions about faith and relationships, including a plan to start programming, resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and links for teens. Resources for faith leaders can be found here, and resources for teens can be found here.
TREE Lending Library
The organization has a collection of books and DVDs that make up an education curriculum. More about the library’s hours and resources can be found here.
TREE’s Partners
TREE has several partners in the Columbia area. Below are links to their websites.
- Boone Country Health Department
- LOVE INC
- Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
- Missouri School of Religion
- MU Sinclair School of Nursing
- MU’s Troubling Violence Performance Project
- MU’s Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Center (RSVP)
- Phoenix Programs, Inc.
- Randolph County Caring Community Partnership
- The Communication Center
- True North
- Youth Community Coalition