“I looked for signs of abuse in my relationship and more than half the signs you gave us were there. It was hard for me, but I broke up. I’m glad I did, because now that we’re not together everything is a lot clearer and makes sense…I am so glad I took your advice!!! It made my life a lot better and happier.”
“One of my best friends was in the health class you talked to at the beginning of the year, and since then she has really changed her life. She used to do a lot of things with a lot of different boys…. Now, she has a very respectful boyfriend of about 4 months and hasn’t done anything sexual with him. Thank you for being a part of her change.”
You spoke about the topics in a chill way, which made us feel okay about talking about these subjects.
The “missing piece” in health education is how to have both physically AND emotionally healthy relationships and how delaying sexual activity can actually improve relationship outcomes. Our 2- to 5-day program provides medically accurate information, yes. But as a supplement to the sex education curriculum teens get in health classes, Teen Decision’s classroom educators focus on the “why” and “how-to” of healthy relationships. We guide young people to think for themselves by engaging students in lively discussions and activities that help them both learn and recognize the physical and emotional benefits of building healthy relationships while holding off on early sexual intimacy. Teachers love the break from teaching, and the benefit to students and their families:
“Our students overwhelmingly give very positive feedback about Teen Decision. As an educator for 21 years, I know that having outside speakers reinforce the lessons and concepts I teach has been critical to our students’ understanding. Every student in our school is a part of the lessons taught by Teen Decision and it has impacted our school tremendously.”
My daughter just loved the program. She was so comfortable discussing what she learned with us each day. Keep up the great work! Your speakers and the topics really made quite an impact on her.
During a 10-year period, when teen pregnancy rates rose in surrounding counties, they steadily declined in DuPage County, where we reached 40% of teens by the end of high school. The 8,000 teens we reach each year gain both the knowledge and skills to make healthy choices. Our free program is supported by donors who care about teens!
