I am coming up on the fifth anniversary of my employment with The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy next week. When I joined the Campaign, one of my first tasks was to take over our annual teen awareness event, The National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. This year will be my fifth National Day - the Campaign's eighth - and I feel like this event just gets better every year.
One thing that continually amazes me about the National Day is the groundswell of support that the event receives in communities across the nation. The National Day simply could not be a success without the hard work of the many organizations and individuals who organize and participate in National Day activities.
Here are some of my favorite stories sent this year by National Day friends from around the country:
- In Hot Springs, Arkansas, the Smart Teens/Healthy Decisions Coalition is gearing up for National Day with a number of activities. They plan to offer the National Day Quiz to students at local middle school and high school campuses and they are holding a National Day poster design contest for students. In addition, they are planning an event at a local middle school campus where students will present dramatic skits about avoiding risky behavior and peer pressure. Other schools in the county are being sent invitations to participate and being offered a free National Day kit with fliers, wristbands, and a list of ideas and offer of guest speakers from the Coalition.
- In San Jacinto, California, Valley Wide Counseling, a Program of MFI Recovery, is planning their third annual community event in recognition of the National Day. They are hosting the Know Limits Teen Health Challenge at the Hemet Valley Mall. The event is set for this Saturday (May 2) from 12-4pm and more than 40 community agencies and schools, as well as government and local business, are planning to attend. Several performances have been scheduled by the local cheer/dance teams, a band, DJ, and VITAL (an intergenerational theatre troupe). They also plan to have activities such as a raffle, rock wall, and an information scavenger hunt.
- In Pueblo, Colorado, the Pueblo City-County Health Department is partnering with the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, the Colorado Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy, Parenting and Prevention, The David and Lucille Packard Foundation, and Colorado State University - Pueblo to host a community forum on teen pregnancy prevention on Wednesday May 6. They hope the event will raise awareness of the issue among community leaders and family service providers. They are also planning an evening dinner event for families to encourage more conversation about teen pregnancy prevention between parents and their children.
- In Burlington, Iowa, the Southeast Iowa Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Coalition is recognizing the National Day by working with their city council to issue a proclamation. They are also hosting their 3rd annual Youth Band Jam at the Burlington Memorial Auditorium, sponsored by GRADE A PLUS, KQ92, Hot 97.3, Burlington Parks and Recreation Department, and The Burlington Hawk Eye newspaper. Attendees will have the chance to listen to some great young musicians and take the National Day Quiz. They are also planning a silent art auction, Art for Prevention, to help reach adults in the community with messages about teen pregnancy prevention and are working with local radio stations to air PSAs throughout the month encouraging teens to take the National Day Quiz.
These are just a few of the many stories that have been sent in from National Day partners around the country. To learn more about what's happening nation-wide - and in your area - visit our Who's Doing What in 2009? Webpage. Are you involved with a National Day event in your community and don't see it listed on our website? Send me an email at mrosst@thenc.org and let me know what you are up to.
The National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy is next Wednesday, May 6th and it's not too late to get involved. For more information about the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy and to learn how to can help spread the word, visit the National Day section of our website.
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