In addition to developing sexual literacy and educating teens about the risks associated with sexual activity, the program also emphasizes the importance of education and employment. Youths start the program at age 11 or 12 and continue past high school. We work with them five days a week, after school, and throughout the summer. We have sites in Belle Glade, Lake Worth, West Palm Beach, and Fort Pierce, in areas with high rates of teen pregnancy and low high school graduation rates. In 2009, a total of 160 youth participated.
How the program works
Activities
- Job Club: Teens engage in mini internships and receive a stipend as a way to learn about the importance of maintaining a bank account while preparing for future careers through graduated employment.
- Academics: Teachers provide an educational component including individual academic assessment, tutoring, homework help, PSAT and SAT preparation, and assistance with college entrance.
- Family Life/Sex Education
- Self-expression through the arts
- Lifetime individual sports
Services
- Comprehensive medial care, including reproductive health and contraception education
- Mental health services, including counseling as needed
Teen pregnancies significantly impact individuals and society alike:
- 25 percent of teenage mothers have a second child within two years
- One-third of teen mothers do not earn a high school diploma or GED
- Children born to teen mothers are more likely to become teen parents themselves
- Experts estimate that the annual cost for teen births is about $7 billion in public assistance, child health care, foster care, involvement with the criminal justice system, and lost tax revenues
