In August 2025, a group of parents, coaches, teachers, and mentors gathered around a table at LAWS with a shared question: How can we better support the adults in our kids’ lives to have the tough conversations that so often begin within our walls? 

Domestic violence and sexual assault are not easy topics. But if we are serious about preventing violence, we have to talk about healthy and unhealthy relationships early—long before harm occurs. 

So how do we do that in ways that are age-appropriate, empowering, and not fear-based? 

That question sparked the idea for the Upstream Crew. 

No, it’s not a kayaking group (though that would be fun). The Upstream Crew is a collective of caring adults—parents, mentors, educators, coaches, and community members—who come together to learn how to talk with kids about topics that are often considered taboo. Our goal is simple but powerful: to equip adults with the tools, language, and confidence to have critical and courageous conversations with young people. 

From the beginning, the vision was bigger than a single program. The Upstream Crew brings together a resource hub, a peer learning community, and a workshop series designed to help adults show up consistently and effectively for youth. 

Why “Upstream”? 

LAWS is widely known for its vital work in secondary and tertiary prevention—stepping in when there is a risk of violence or when harm has already occurred. This includes our hotline, services for at-risk youth, shelter, therapy, legal advocacy, and survivor support. 

The Upstream Crew focuses on something just as critical: primary prevention—stopping violence before it ever starts. 

In social work and public health, “going upstream” is a common way to explain prevention. If you’ve never heard the metaphor before, we’ll link a short video called The River Story that brings it to life. 

The idea is simple: if people keep being pulled out of a dangerous river downstream, eventually we have to ask why they’re falling in upstream. 

Going upstream means addressing root causes, shaping healthy norms, and building protective factors early. If we truly want to end violence in Loudoun County, our goal shouldn’t be to build more domestic violence shelters—we should be teaching kindergarteners about respect, boundaries, and empathy so they never experience or cause harm later in life. 

By the time youth reach high school, many beliefs about relationships are already forming. That’s why prevention can’t wait until there’s a problem. We have to start early and show up often—reinforcing healthy, equitable relationships and reducing risk factors along the way. 

Why Mentorship Matters 

One of the most important things young people need today is active, brave mentorship. 

Kids don’t just learn from formal lessons—they learn from what the adults around them model, tolerate, and talk about. When caring adults have the confidence to name healthy behaviors, challenge harmful norms, and normalize conversations about emotions, boundaries, and respect, prevention becomes part of everyday life. 

The Upstream Crew exists to support those adults. 

If you’re ready to learn, reflect, and grow alongside others who care deeply about youth well-being, we invite you to join us. Sign up for future communications, check out our resources tab and join us for future events. Together, we can model and teach the foundations of healthy relationships—and create safer futures for the next generation.