Three years ago, I got involved in youth activism for teen pregnancy prevention through our local teen resource center, which has now closed down. That was the ONLY place around here that teens felt comfortable going to for their health check-ups. Something had to be done.

Karina, 19, works with Advocates for Youth and the  Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (G-CAPP) as a member of Georgia Youth Understanding Pregnancy Prevention (G-YUPP). 

I was born and still live in Dalton, GA. The teen pregnancy rate in our area in out of control! Three years ago, I got involved in youth activism for teen pregnancy prevention through our local teen resource center, which has now closed down. That was the ONLY place around here that teens felt comfortable going to for their health check-ups. Something had to be done.

I started advocating for comprehensive sex education when I was in high school. Now, I am a sophomore in college, and I still love everything I do. I always have liked helping out in my community, and what better way than to help people my own age! We have talked to legislators, worked booths at many events, and most importantly.. made our voices be heard!

My favorite story happened not too long ago, June 2010. After so much struggling to get people to listen to us, I found a huge 5-fold poster all about teen pregnancy prevention in our local rec department. The best thing of all, their sources were from GCAPP. They were even letting people know that GYUPP exist and to help support us throughout the city! It was an amazing feeling to know we HAVE made a difference!!!