Teen Pregnancy Prevention Outreach Program
On a volunteer basis, young women affiliated with the Lund Family Center visit schools and community agencies to speak with passion, sincerity and honesty about the realities of pregnancy and parenting at a 
young age. The young women share their personal experiences and hardships, and the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Specialist explains the societal and economic impact on us all.
Our Teen Pregnancy Prevention Outreach Program is a unique and effective program which reaches adolescents throughout the State. This program was developed to meet the needs voiced by area educators and community members who were seeing an alarming increase in teen pregnancies, school dropouts and the communities' inability to address this rising epidemic of "lost students."
The response to our program from school officials, teachers and students -- both boys and girls -- has been tremendous. According to student responses, the information presented by "peers," in conjunction with an adult educator is more powerful and "real" than if presented by an adult only.
Reservations are suggested at least one to two months in advance. We ask schools for a small donation ($75.00) to help cover transportation costs. If a donation is not available, our Teen Panel will still provide service as our goal is for all students to have access to this program.
The following are quotes from middle and high school communities who have heard Lund’s Teen Pregnancy Prevention presentation.
Students:
- I thought the presenters were amazing and it was good to hear about sex and pregnancy from someone my age. (Female, age 17)
- This was great and I think affected kids very positively; having actual teen parents present made it far more meaningful. (Male, age 17)
- I was so glad that you guys came because I learned a lot and changed my mind about a couple of decisions that I would have made. (Female, age 17)
- At first I knew that it would be a challenge if I were to become a father but I didn’t know how challenging it could be. (Male, age 14)
- It was very informative. I now know that I am not ready to have a baby because of all the work that it takes. I want to finish school and live a normal life. (Female, age 14)
- I thought the presentation was very moving and I will now make my decisions educated ones. (Male, age 15)
Educators
- I definitely know for a fact that for the majority of the kids that have seen your presentation, it makes a huge impact. And, it is not just for the girls, but what the guys are getting from it is huge. You paint a really good picture.
- An important message that I hear from the outreach facilitator is about what Lund is, along with the statistics about teen pregnancy. It is important to hear how supportive you are in regards to different lifestyles and whatever choice the parent wants to make, whether it be abortion, adoption, parenting. It is important for the kids to understand that they have those choices and that there is an agency out there to help.
- Having them come into the room and offer their life makes it so real. It makes the kids realize what their life could be like just from having sex once and I think that is a key point, that it can happen the first time.
For more information about the Outreach program, please contact Cristie Manchester at
(802) 864-7467 or via email at cristiem@lundfamilycenter.org.
PO Box 4009