Kalico Forest Supports the “Love Shouldn’t Hurt” Teen Art Gallery, Educating Young People About Teen Dating Violence
Media Contact: Raquel Lamal, Red Shoes Inc., (920) 574-3253, raquel@redshoesinc.com
APPLETON, Wis. (Feb. 19, 2026) — Kalico Forest, a Northeast Wisconsin-based nonprofit dedicated to community outreach, advocacy, education and support in addressing domestic violence, is proud to be a donor and supporter of the sixth annual “Love Shouldn’t Hurt” Teen Art Gallery put on by the Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services.
“This powerful, youth-focused exhibit reflects our mission to promote prevention, raise awareness and encourage safe, respectful relationships,” said Brian Randall, co-founder of Kalico Forest. “By fostering early understanding of what healthy relationships look like, we can empower young people to build a future free from violence. We’re honored to support an event that not only celebrates creativity but also delivers such an important message.”
Teen dating violence is a critical issue, with one in three teens in the United States experiencing physical, sexual or emotional abuse from a dating partner before adulthood, according to a study by Futures Without Violence. Additionally, according to a study by End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, 20% of teens will experience some sort of violence in a dating relationship.
Early education and open dialogue are critical to breaking the cycle of abuse and empowering young people with the knowledge to identify healthy versus unhealthy relationship dynamics, set boundaries and seek help when needed. In support of these efforts, Kalico Forest is contributing to Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services’ Youth Team fundraiser during Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. This donation will help Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services reach its $5,000 fundraising goal, directly supporting the Youth Team’s mission to break the cycle of teen dating violence by equipping young people to build safe, healthy relationships founded on equity, respect and consent.
The “Love Shouldn’t Hurt” Teen Art Gallery provides a powerful platform for local teens to express these realities through original artwork, amplifying their voices and inspiring community dialogue on respect, consent and healthy relationships. This initiative resonates deeply with Kalico Forest’s focus on prevention through education and community support, as it works to build awareness and resilience across generations in Northeast Wisconsin.
The public is encouraged to view the exhibit, on display at Becket’s restaurant, located at 2 Jackson Street in Oshkosh now through the end of February. A special closing reception will take place for the exhibit on Feb. 26 from 4:30-6:30 p.m., where Kalico Forest representatives will be in attendance, and the public can view the powerful artwork, reflect on the messages and leave notes of encouragement for the teen artists before the exhibit is removed. Support for the exhibit reinforces that creativity can drive change and that no one should experience harm in the name of love.
Kalico Forest is honored to lend its support to this meaningful effort alongside Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services, helping to raise awareness about teen dating violence and the importance of healthy relationships. For more about the work Kalico Forest is doing in advocacy, education and to view its community resources, visit kalicoforest.org or reach out at info@kalicoforest.org. Together, we can promote safer relationships and brighter futures for all teens.
About Kalico Forest
Kalico Forest is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting, empowering and uplifting women and children affected by domestic violence, in memory of Kali Randall, Zeke Best and Freya Best. Through initiatives including Silver Roots, Zeke’s Light and Freya’s Bloom, Kalico Forest provides trauma-informed support, creative healing and advocacy to foster resilience and hope. For more information, visit www.kalicoforest.org.