¡ADELANTE Holyoke!

On March 22, the YEAH! Network, in partnership with Enlace de Familia, organized the 2nd Latino Leadershop Roundtable on Teen Pregnancy.  The purpose of the meeting was to develop a process for engagement with city residents and policy leaders.  Together, they can work to address the high rates of teen births and sexually transmitted diseases in Holyoke.  We had a great turn out and an engaging discussion.

Here are some highlights:

• A diverse group representing schools, parents, health care workers, policy makers, community activits, community based organizations and academia participated in the discussion
• Key themes that the group identified as important to consider when addressing the high teen birthrate: 
• Comprehensive sex education in the schools is just one component - other sectors of the community need to be involved, as well. 
• The issue should be framed to reflect a broader concept of teens' sexual health, incorporating healthy relationships and prevention.
• Build the capacity of parents to talk to teens about sexual health as well as provide information and opportunities for parents to become involved in advocating for the reproductive needs of youth
• Maximize the utilization of community organization programs that address adolescent sexual health

Next Steps:

• The YEAH! Network will support the City Council Resolution recommendations, which Mayor Pluta may implement
• We will work to increase community awareness and support for the Resolution

As Holyoke moves forward to address one of the most persistent adolescent health issues int he commnity, the YEAH! Network will be working with key stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive and sustainable response.

¡Adelante Holyoke!

What's happening in March with the YEAH! Network & Friends

March 4 - Mass Alliance screening of "Glouster 18"

March 8 - International Women's Day.  This year's global theme is: Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for All 

March 8 - Mass Alliance Information Session on Federal Funding on Teen Pregnancy

March 9 - Teens from the Adolescent Advisory Board, Holyoke parents and teens from Girls Inc. meet with Mayor Pluta to discuss their thoughts and ideas on sexual health education

Throughout March  - Ongoing effort to collect letters in support of comprehensive science based health education in the Holyoke schools.  If you have letters to turn in, or would like to sign a letter, contact Cristin at cmogrady@yeahnetwork.org

Reproductive Health News the YEAH! Network is following

Here are some stories we have been reading in the last week:

• To Court Blacks, Foes of Abortion Make Racial Case
• A discussion of the politics surrounding the abortion debate in the African American community from the New York Times, 26 February 2010
• Multipurpose Prevention Technologies for Sexual and Reproductive Health: Gaining Momentum and Promise 
• An article discussing multipurpose prevention technologies (prevention strategies that prevent both STIs and reproductive tract infections) which were discussed and debated at the March 2009 conference on Advancing Prevention Technologies for Sexual and Reproductive Health... "For 2 days, more than 150 participants from developing and industrialized countries discussed and debated opportunities and challenges for advancing technologies that address multiple sexual and reproductive health needs." From RH Positive, 22 February 2010
•  Why Men's Health is a Feminist Issue   
• From the Winter 2010 issue of Ms. Magazine, an article about how giving Gardasil, the cervical cancer vaccine, to men is as important to protecting men's health as it is to protecting women's.  
• Also, a response from The Sexist, a blog out of Washington DC: The Feminist Implications of Male Reproductive Health

A response to: Not so cheap: Teen mom rejects the sterotype

In the March 12, 2009 edition of The Sophian, the Smith College student newspaper, a feature article was published discussing the life of Charlie Rose, a young mother who chose at age 15 to have a child.  Though the article was published nearly a year ago, it discusses issues that impact the way we talk and think about teen pregnancy and young mothers, issues that have not gone away. 


 A response from Sarah Perez McAdoo:  
 
The article frames teen pregnancy and births as an empowering experience for young women.  Teen mothers that are able to have a positive parenting experience are resilient and determined individuals who defy all odds.  The sad reality is that teen parenting is not typically an empowering experience for young women.  For communities already compromised by poor education, poverty and poor health, teen parenting becomes an additional burden. Teen parenting makes it increasingly difficult for these young parents to succeed, creating obstacles to a promising education and financial indepence. It is great that Charlie Rose is a teen parent success story, but her story neglects to highlight the difficult realities that most teen parents face.  Local communities need to create empowering experiences for teens that allow them to choose options other than becoming young parents. 

Advocacy Alert!

Who: You and all your Friends!
What: Signed letters in support of a comprehensive sex ed curriculum
in Holyoke!
When: No later than February 24, 2010!
Questions: Email or call Cristin (cmogrady@yeahnetwork.org, 413-349-9436)

Hello All -

The Holyoke School sub-Committee will meet Wednesday, February 24, 2010 to discuss the adoption of a comprehensive sexual health curriculum in the schools. This meeting is not open to the public, but it is the perfect time to demonstrate community support for comprehensive sex education with a thick stack of signed letters that will be presented to the committee. If you live in Holyoke, or know someone who does, please do sign it, and pass this information on to your friends.

If you have collected letters, or would like to hand in a letter you have signed, please email or call me, and I can make arrangements to get the letter from you.

Thank you all so much for your efforts in this area -
cristin