HIV/Drug Abuse Awareness/Teen Pregnancy
The project design incorporates a model of using youth leadership to establish a peer based program of personal responsibility leading to positive outcomes with respect to HIV/Aids and Drug Awareness. This project will impact 12 teens who will serve on the Youth Leadership Council as planners and conveners of the Summit. Another 175-200 teens attending the Summit will be impacted through educational and informative sessions.
We anticipate further benefit/impact as a result of teen participation in the Summit:
- Increased youth knowledge of sexual health, healthy relationships, HIV, sexually transmitted infections, and resources available in the community
- Abstinence education
- Increased youth access to and use of condoms
- Connecting youth at risk for HIV to testing, medical services, and social services
- Incorporating and distributing already developed, evaluated, and packaged public health materials
- Supporting healthy youth development
The Rotary Club of Thomasville has made a powerful impact in our community last fiscal year. It has encouraged local sororities, grassroots organizations to become involved, We have seen an increased the involvement of parents, other civic, social, and religious organizations involvement in the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative. This current Fiscal Year Year the Youth Leadership Council was recognized as "Cheers for Volunteers, 2018 Youth Organization of the Year by Hands on Thomas County. Last year over 1,500 youth received educational instructions though funds provided by last year's district grant.
update: On November 9th, 2019 the Boys & Girls Club of Southwest Georgia held its Teen Health Summit with more than 220 youth, community partners and volunteers attendance. The Youth Leadership Council, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Thomasville, planned an entire day of educational sessions centered on relationships, gang violence, leadership, teen pregnancy, and the importance parental Involvement. Part of the Teen Health Summit was a program called “Bridging the Gap Between Teens & Law Enforcement.” It could not have happened without the help of some awesome volunteers. Thank you to our facilitators- Tracy Howell, Alicia Parker & Chief Troy from DOCO SRO, Carl Washington, Michael Lewis, Cynthia Gardner, Doris Clark, Pam Gardner, Joe Thomas & Norman Billups. Law Enforcement panel members from DJJ - Lisa Owens, Asst. District Attorney Joseph McKinnon, Elder Jerry Payne, Thomasville Police Capt. Maurice Holmes, Thomas Co. Sheriff Dept.Minto & Gwen Tyler.Thank you Climmie Mosely for that tasty lunch. We had more than 220 teens in attendance. They were not afraid to open up and ask questions that would help build their relationship with law enforcement.