The Center for Relationship Education

We love partnering with Cherry Creek Schools A huge thank-you to CBS Colorado for shining a light on the importance of continuing The Center for Relationship Education’s mission - to provide relationship skills training to everyone.

Colorado nonprofit teaching relationship skills loses federal funding, president feels "like she got punched in the gut" After decades spent in Colorado schools, the Center for Relationship Education has lost its federal funding and had to lay off the majority of its employees.

Career paths get plenty of guidance—but what about relationships?

REAL Essentials Life fills the gap with tools for college students and young adults to better understand themselves, communicate more effectively, and build lasting connections. Because thriving in life means more than just landing a job—it’s about building strong, healthy relationships too.

REAL Essentials Curriculum Catalog | The Center for Relationship Education Become a relationship expert, and impact your community. Curriculum is available for utilizing with all age groups and is created with you in mind. See why REAL Essentials stands out and offers an exceptional experience, from training to implementation, for both you and your participants.  

Love or Just a Crush?

Help students understand the difference between love and infatuation so they can build healthy, lasting relationships with REAL Essentials!

Love vs. Infatuation
❤️ Love = Grows over time, built on respect & security
💔 Infatuation = Intense, fleeting emotions driven by desire

🔹 Love is a decision. Infatuation is a feeling.
🔹 Love gives. Infatuation takes.
🔹 Love lasts. Infatuation fades.

Give students the tools to navigate relationships with wisdom and confidence!

Teens face real challenges, and they deserve real tools to navigate them.

REAL Essentials Advance is the nation’s leading relationship education curriculum, equipping adults to guide high school students toward healthier relationships, stronger choices, and greater confidence.

Engaging, meaningful, and built to stick—because when we reach the heart, we help shape the future.

REAL Essentials Advance | The Center for Relationship Education This popular, innovative curriculum is being used across the country to teach high school students critical relationship skills and practical approaches for navigating the social dynamics of friendship and love . Its unique, modular format allows for flexible, individualized use.

CRE recently partnered with San Antonio ISD educators for REAL Essentials Foundations Training, equipping them with tools to strengthen student success in school and in life. Here’s what a few had to say about the experience:

"This workshop was interactive and demonstrated exactly how we can incorporate movement, fun, and useful information to our classes. This team did a great job with delivery and made it a worth while experience."
-April C.

"It was great. They gave us fun ways we can engage with our students on a deeper emotional level. One that they need and are more than likely lacking in their lives. The lessons were fun and light but delivered a deep and meaningful message. I loved it, not just for our students, but for myself as well."
-Yvonne G.

"This was probably the best training I have been to. I feel we have been given the tools to present these lessons to our classes."
-Ruben R.

We love seeing educators walk away inspired and equipped. If you’d like to explore REAL Essentials training for your team, we’d love to connect.

Want to make a real difference in the lives of youth and families?

REAL Essentials Foundations Certification is built for those passionate about equipping school-aged children, teens, and single/co-parenting mothers with the relationship skills they need to thrive.

This two-day, hands-on training gives you practical tools to address relationship stress and build lasting, healthy connection patterns—through interactive lessons that are as fun as they are impactful.

Ready to get started?

Register here:

Certification Training Schedule | The Center for Relationship Education Increase the relationship IQ of your organization, and invite CRE to customize your workshop, or retreat, experience. Countless topics are available to precisely serve your group's size, time-frame, location and needs.

Shoutout to our fellow Narme Summit 2025 attendees — remember to “stop and smell the roses, and to tend to the roots” to cultivate lasting beauty in your relationships.

We’re so proud to have had Lauren Reitsema representing The Center for Relationship Education at this morning’s plenary. We hope you found her message meaningful and inspiring. 🌹

Applying for HMRF Funding? We’re here to support you.

The Office of Family Assistance has opened its Healthy Marriage and Relationship Education (HMRF) funding opportunities, and we want to make sure you have everything you need to submit a thoughtful, well-aligned proposal.

To help you integrate the REAL Essentials curriculum with confidence, we’ve created a collection of grant writing resources, including:

- Ready-to-use curriculum alignment materials
- A clear breakdown of how REAL Essentials meets HMRF requirements
- A recorded webinar walking through the resources and key tips
- A request form for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) from the curriculum developer

Whether you're new to REAL Essentials or have partnered with us before, we’re committed to supporting your work in strengthening relationships, families, and communities.

https://www.myrelationshipcenter.org/curriculum/grant-programs/upcoming-grants

Upcoming Grants | The Center for Relationship Education The purpose of the Title V Competitive SRAE Program is to fund projects to implement education exclusively on sexual risk avoidance that teaches youth participants to voluntarily refrain from non-marital sexual activity. Eligible applicants are expected to submit plans for the implementation of sexu...

What’s your Personality Animal?

Take the quiz to find out which animal reflects your unique communication and connection style. It’s a fun way to explore more about yourself (and each other).

Drop a GIF of your critter in the comments, we’d love to see it!

🐾 www.personalityanimal.com