Participants in the CFC Family Planning Making Proud Choices!  program have been meeting each week in early 2009 at the Fall River Boys and Girls Club to learn about healthy behavior and responsible decision-making. This Science-based Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program stresses that abstinence is the best way to prevent HIV, other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and pregnancy, but Making Proud Choices! also teaches that condoms can be effective, too. The program aims to reduce the risk of HIV/STDs and pregnancy among youth through small group two-hour sessions where teens watch videos and participate in discussions, games, role-playing, and other exercises. After completing the program, youth are expected to have greater knowledge about HIV/STD and pregnancy prevention, better negotiating skills, and reduced risk-taking behaviors. Currently, there are 18 community−based organizations in Massachusetts funded to provide science−based teen pregnancy prevention programs. For information about the program provided by Citizens for Citizens, contact Lynda Sampson at 508-679-0198 or 508-673-2400.
 

(Top row) Michaelia Davis receives a message from Peer Leader Jessica Pereira in a game about communication distortions. (Top row, center) Program Coordinator Ann Medeiros joins Peer Leaders Jessica Pereira, Sarah Jeffries and Jazmin Menes before the session. (Top row, right) Stephanie Tupras receives a message from Chastity Rosato. (Middle row, left) Shannon Dupras listens as Program Coordinator Ann Medeiros questions the group about what they learned from the exercise. (Middle row, right) Brittney Oliveira listens as Solmari Hanriguez responds. (Bottom row, left) Shannon Dupras raiser her hand to respond to a question posed by Peer Leader Sarah Jeffries. (Bottom row, center) brittney and Solmari share a laugh. (Bottom row, right) Casey Markt listens as Brittni Correia makes a point.