ADVOCATES FOR YOUTH

April 2006 update on new publications, actions you can take, and more!

Advocates for Youth's e-News Update

Calling Student Activists!
Organize for Sexual and Reproductive Health!

• Feel passionate about reproductive and sexual health rights?

• Looking to become more engaged in student activism?

• Interested in organizing for comprehensive sex education and HIV prevention on your campus?

Then apply to be a Campus Organizer with Advocates for Youth’s Youth Activist Network!

Youth Activist Network Campus Organizers serve as activists, advocates, and spokespeople on issues of youth’s sexual and reproductive health. Campus Organizers work with the staff of the Youth Activist Network, running one Advocates for Youth’s Rights Respect Responsibility® campaigns on their campus and in their local area. Currently, the Youth Activist Network has two campaigns. The Keep it REAL Campaign focuses on securing comprehensive education in the United States that is science-based, medically accurate, and age appropriate. The Fix the GAP Campaign focuses on advocating for young people’s right, worldwide, to comprehensive HIV prevention and education. You can find out more about these campaigns at http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/youth/advocacy/yan/index.htm

Campus Organizers receive training on advocacy, media relations, and public policy as well as organizing materials and other forms of technical assistance and a stipend of $200 per semester for their work with Advocates.

Deadline has passed.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Violence affects women of all racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds. Violence can take several forms, including domestic or intimate partner violence, sexual assault, sexual abuse, dating violence, and elder abuse

For more information about dating violence, please go to
http://www.mysistahs.org/features/datingviolence/datingviolence.htm

National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month (NTPPM) Is Fast Approaching

Start planning your events now!

May is National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month. Please join Advocates for Youth in promoting and supporting effective teen pregnancy prevention initiatives. Download the updated guidebook which provides strategic tips and examples to help local communities plan and implement activities for NTPPM. It also includes fact sheets, guidance for involving youth and working with the media, and sample forms.

For more information, please visit:
http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/ntppm.htm

Or, to find evaluated, effective programs, visit:
http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/programsthatwork/index.htm

New publications:

Sex Education for Physically, Emotionally and Mentally Challenged Youth
http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/frtp/challengedyouth.htm

In recent years, important changes in public policies and attitudes have resulted in improved opportunities for people with physical and mental disabilities. Now, people living with disabilities assume their rightful place in society as the equals of non-disabled people. Unfortunately, societal attitudes have changed less in regard to sexuality and disability. Even today, many people refuse to acknowledge that all people have sexual feelings, needs, and desires, regardless of their physical and/or mental abilities. As a result, many young people who live with disabilities do not receive sex education, either in school or at home.

The Sexual Health of Latina Adolescents—Focus on Assets
http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/frtp/latina.htm

This document briefly highlights sexual health data on young Latinas and then summarizes the findings of asset-focused research. Its aim is: 1) to assist youth-serving professionals to identify and incorporate youth development strategies into their programming; and 2) to encourage policy makers, at all levels, to make fiscal and policy investments that will promote the sexual health of young Latinas.

You can help Advocates for Youth with a contribution today. To donate, visit http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/about/donatetoday.htm

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