Youth United Way helps address teen pregnancy

The Youth United Way is helping the Teen Pregnancy and Responsibility Network (TPRN) and Cape County Public Health Center fund a program to present at school assemblies at Jackson, Cape Central, and Notre Dame on the "side effects of pregnancy."ÊYouth United Way donated $2,000 for the project which will be implemented in the 2004 to 2005 school year. Pictured from left are, Jane Southeast Missourian

The Youth United Way has helped fund a program to address teen pregnancy in area schools this fall.

The group, made up of area high schools in Scott City, Cape Girardeau and Jackson, held student campaigns raising $18,000 during the 2003 academic year. The United Way of Southeast Missouri board of directors then charged the Youth United Way students with helping determine the best way for that money to be invested locally.

Issues of youth substance abuse and teen pregnancy were the top two concerns at the high school level for students involved in the Youth United Way. After evaluating programs, students chose one concerning the side effects of pregnancy that had been reviewed and attended by Teen Pregnancy and Responsibility Network, which is a network of people from various community agencies that address issues surrounding teen pregnancy and its prevention.

The Youth United Way helped the Teen Pregnancy and Responsibility Network and Cape County Public Health Center fund the program with a $2,000 donation. It will be held at school assemblies throughout the day on Sept. 13.

The program will be presented by Pam Stenzel, international speaker and founder of Enlighten Communications Inc. The program's main goal is to address character and abstinence issues to help teenagers to make responsible choices.

The United Way of Southeast Missouri serves as the leader in uniting people and resources around health and human service issues to build a stronger and healthier community.

To learn more about the United Way call 334-9634 or visit its Web site, www.unitedwayofsemo.org.