GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) - This time of year, many tend to get caught up in the love and romance that comes with Valentine’s Day. But for many, the reality of their relationships can become anything but romantic. One local organization is taking time this Valentine's Day to let the youth community here know that there is hope in love.

"Many times our youth tend to think since they're just starting in these relationships, they're not aware of the warning signs,” says Debbie Miller, founder of the Light of Hope organization.

Miller's job is to make sure teens know the truth.

"Being able to promote healthy relationships is very, very important,” says Miller.

Her personal struggles are what led her to found "Light of Hope."

"I am a survivor of domestic violence. It took me 19 years to gain my life back,” she says.

Debbie suffered in silence for many years, until she found her way through the darkness.

"Once I overcame those obstacles and finally was able to get myself out of the situation, I decided I wanted to do something and give back to the community,” says Miller.

That's when she established Light of Hope, to provide a message of hope for the youth community.

"To allow them to know and understand that giving them the tools, the education, that there is nothing impossible for them to do,” she says.

The program provides educational sessions to different youth groups, focusing on healthy relationships and how to spot abuse. One of the groups she works with is the Strive program from Grand Junction High School, which focuses on setting students down the right path toward college.

"It turned out that after going through this program, I was informed and I had much more self confidence in myself,” says Edgar Guttierez, a student from the GJHS Strive program.

Miller helped the Strive students choose goals and figure out a path to achieve them.

"I had a pretty low self esteem before this. Like honestly, but after going through this program I feel like I can do much more than I thought I could,” says Guttierez.

Miller says the warning signs of an abusive relationship can come in unexpected ways, such as excessive text messaging or isolating your significant other by cutting off outside friendships and relationships.

In light of Valentine’s Day, Light of Hope will host a fundraiser tomorrow night at 6 p.m. in the south ballroom at Colorado Mesa. All of the proceeds will go toward scholarships for youth education of dating violence awareness and prevention.