Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month To Launch

Teen Services is getting set to launch a campaign by proclaiming May as Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month, with a proclamation ceremony to be held tomorrow [May 4].

The event will take place at Teen Services, next to Fort Hamilton, at 12.30pm, with the agency inviting the public to take part; the event will include the reading of the proclamation, guest speaker Patrice Frith-Hayward, as well as entertainment, an open house, and refreshments.

A spokesperson said, “Teen Services is a local registered charity that provides comprehensive services to at-risk females, including pregnant teens and teen mothers. The program offers counseling, community prevention-focused outreach services [including Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month Campaign and Precious Gems Summer Program], transitional housing [Teen Haven] and the Outstanding Teen Awards.

“In 1998, Teen Services joined forces with the National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Campaign, which is recognized worldwide, in observing May as Teen Pregnancy Prevention month. The purpose of the campaign in Bermuda is to increase public awareness on teen pregnancy.

“The ultimate aim of the campaign is to help young people make wise choices and in return reduce the rate of teen pregnancy.

“Over the years, Teen Services has shown its commitment to ensuring that the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Campaign remains the cornerstone of their community prevention outreach program.

“Currently, Teen Services provides prevention-focused outreach services to CedarBridge Academy, The Berkeley Institute, and Dellwood Middle School.

“Teen Services will launch the campaign by proclaiming May as Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month. The proclamation ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 4th at Teen Services [next to Fort Hamilton] at 12:30 pm. The agency welcomes the public to the ceremony, which includes: the reading of the proclamation, Guest Speaker – Mrs. Patrice Frith-Hayward, as well as entertainment, open house and refreshments.

“Teen Services has a long history in addressing the needs of Bermuda’s at-risk girls. Countless young people have transformed themselves from dropping out of school, being pregnant, and/or being homeless to gaining meaningful life experiences, such as completing high school, receiving a college education, housing, and employment.

“More importantly, those clients who were mothers were able to establish a safe and stable environment for their children.

“Teen Services recognizes that provision of comprehensive support services for at-risk young girls and women is paramount, as girls become mothers, who are responsible for raising the next generation of youth. Research shows that leaving issues unaddressed amongst at-risk girls perpetuates a continuous, viscous cycle of academic failure, teen pregnancy, gang violence, and drug abuse.

“Teen Services invites the community to get involved in raising awareness on prevention of teen pregnancy. Anyone that is interested in getting more involved as a sponsor, or as a volunteer, should contact us at 292-4598 or at teenservices@northrock.bm.”

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