Medically accurate information and access to reproductive healthcare promotes good family planning and prevents disease. We fund community programs to increase prevention education and access to clinical services.
When young people know all the facts, they make better decisions. When you give them access, you empower then to act responsibly. These programs demonstrate how South Carolina can chart a better course for everyone, in just one generation.
The Teen Health Center opened in 2006 to serve Columbia’s Eau Claire community. At the center, teens can get confidential counseling and health care, including answers to questions about nutrition, pregnancy prevention, and straight talk about protecting themselves from HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases.
One outreach program they operate is Teens to Teens. Teenagers from Eau Claire apply to land a paying job on the team, are trained to provide information and answer questions, then make presentations to other teens about birth control, teen pregnancy prevention, and the responsibilities that come with sexual activity.
The program succeeds, because team members understand their audiences and speak the same language. They’re realistic about what motivates teens to make good choices.
“I know girls who are having sex. I do have friend that have babies. They thought they were big enough and bad enough to have sex. So yeah, I think it’s important for me to talk to teenagers about sex. Once you get used to talking about this stuff, it’s easy.”
Jessica, Age 16
Teens to Teens Team Member