ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE ABSTINENCE-ONLY-UNTIL-MARRIAGE MATERIALS
ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE ABSTINENCE-ONLY-UNTIL-MARRIAGE MATERIALS | |
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Today, a variety of organizations produce abstinence-only-until-marriage curricula and materials as well as provide teacher trainings and speakers. These organizations range from large nonprofit organizations to smaller, for-profit producers of curricula, and fee-for-services speakers. This fact sheet contains a list of diverse national organizations that support an abstinence-only-until-marriage approach. It is designed to provide a brief overview of each organization as well as information on the relevant resources they provide. This list is not exhaustive, and there are many more state and local organizations with similar missions. For more information on these organizations and an extensive list of additional organizations that produce abstinence-only-until-marriage material, please visit the policy section of SIECUS’ website at http://www.siecus.org/policy/. A.C. GREEN YOUTH FOUNDATION2025 Zumbehl Road Box #35 Background & Positions “[We believe] that young people must develop morally, ethically, educationally, physically, and mentally to fulfill their dreams and goals in life. The underlying theme throughout is to accept each person for who they are, in an unconditional atmosphere of love and respect. We must all join together in making our communities, cities, and countries a better place for all. We must educate and assist the youth to ensure a better future.”1 “The A.C. Green Youth Foundation is about building character, building strong bodies and strong minds, winning and losing with dignity, teamwork, and sacrifice. We provide programs that ignite dreams and an abstinence program that says it’s okay to wait until marriage. In short, we are building leaders. Leaders who, in their individual capacity, no matter what their station in life, will be able to stand up for what is right instead of wrong, and in fact, will be their brother’s keeper.”2 Key People A.C. Green, Founder and President Abstinence-Only Resources & Activities
AIM FOR SUCCESSP.O. Box 550336 Background & Positions “Aim for Success is an independent, non-profit, educational organization that promotes a lifestyle of excellence by encouraging the development of self control, self respect, and self discipline. Through live presentations students are encouraged to develop strong, responsible character as they deal with sexual pressure. Students learn the wisdom of committing to be sexually abstinent until marriage. Parents are inspired to raise responsible children who know that their choices have consequences. Teachers receive creative ideas on how to implement the abstinence message into their classrooms.”3 Key People Marilyn Morris, Founder and President Abstinence-Only Resources & Activities
CHOOSING THE BEST2625 Cumberland Parkway Background & Positions “Choosing the Best, a leader in abstinence sex education curricula, training and resources since 1993. Medically based, our curricula promote healthy relationships— and have resulted in decreases in teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Over 1,000,000 students nationwide have completed our program.”4 “Teaching and promoting abstinence is the exclusive purpose of all Choosing the Best programs. However, CTB LIFE (for high school students) and CTB PATH (for upper middle school students) do provide a brief listing of various contraception alternatives— including abstinence—showing the failure rates of these methods and the conclusion that abstinence is the only method to eliminate the risk of pregnancy and STDs. Unlike ‘abstinence plus’ or ‘comprehensive’ programs, which incorrectly teach that birth control and abstinence are equally effective risk reduction strategies, Choosing the Best does not advocate or demonstrate contraceptive methods for teens.”5 Key People Bruce Cook, Founder and CEO Abstinence-Only Resources & Activities
NORTHWEST FAMILY SERVICES4805 NE Glisan Street Background & Positions “Premarital abstinence is an important choice that more and more young people are making everyday. What is a commitment to abstinence-until-marriage? It’s a decision to respect yourself and your future spouse. It’s a way to show that you are committed to pursuing what’s best for you, in order to remain physically healthy and emotionally happy. It means knowing that sex is great—after you’re married!”6 Key People Rose Fuller, Executive Director Abstinence-Only Resources & Activities
The FACTS curricula are also available in Spanish. PROJECT REALITY1701 E. Lake Avenue Background & Positions “Project Reality’s mission is to give a positive presentation of the benefits of abstinence through curricula, presentations and materials in order to help teens choose abstinence from sexual activity and the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.”7 “In order to help teens make wise and healthy choices for their futures, Project Reality has developed educational programs designed to teach the positive benefits of abstinence and to equip teens with the tools to say no to sexual activity and yes to their future goals and dreams.”8 Key People Kathleen M. Sullivan, Founder Abstinence-Only Resources & Activities
RESPECT, INC.P.O. Box 349 Background & Positions Dr. Coleen Kelly Mast, who received an honorary doctorate from Quincy University, created Sex Respect in 1983 as her Masters curriculum project. At the time she was also serving as the Christian Sexual Morality Teacher at McNamara High School in Kankakee, Illinois where she formed a traveling peer sexual health group. According to Respect Incorporated’s website, since its development Sex Respect has been used in all 50 states and 23 foreign countries. Dr. Mast also hosts a weekly radio show entitled “Catholic Answers,” where she discusses topics such as “Why Jesus is Better than Santa” and “New School Prayer.”9 “Kids are not animals. They can control their sex drives. You can teach them to say ‘no.’ Statistics indicate teens refrain from sex for two reasons – fear of pregnancy and fear of disappointing their parents. Parents who offer their kids contraceptives have destroyed both reasons!”10 Key People Coleen Kelly Mast, Creator of Sex Respect Abstinence-Only Resources & Activities
TEEN-AID723 E. Jackson Background & Positions “Teen-Aid is a not-for profit organization started in 1981 for the specific purpose of reducing out-of-wedlock teen pregnancies and their many consequences. The method believed most valuable was abstinence education, which stresses character development and connection to parents.”11 “Teen-Aid produces curricula materials for public and private schools as well as offering materials developed by others but which still conveys the skills and integrity of abstinence, fidelity and character. Information is foundational. Character, the habit of doing well, is indispensable. Community support is the wave of the future. Abstinence is achievable.”12 Key People LeAnna Benn, National Director and Co-Founder Abstinence-Only Resources & Activities
TRUE LOVE WAITSOne LifeWay Plaza Background & Positions “True Love Waits is an international campaign that challenges teenagers and college students to remain sexually abstinent until marriage.”13 True Love Waits was “created in April, 1993, and sponsored by LifeWay Christian Resources—the world’s largest provider of religious products and services.”14 LifeWay Christian Resources is an entity of the Southern Baptist Convention.15 The True Love Waits Pledge: “Believing that true love waits, I make a commitment to God, myself, my family, my friends, my future mate, and my future children to a lifetime of purity including sexual abstinence from this day until the day I enter a biblical marriage relationship.”16 Abstinence-Only Resources & Activities
WAIT TRAININGAbstinence and Relationship Training Center (ARTC) Background & Positions “Goals:
Key People Joneen Krauth, RN,BSN Executive Director Abstinence-Only Resources & Activities
WHY kNOw: ABSTINENCE EDUCATION6181 Vance Rd Background & Positions “Since wise decisions in life are based on knowledge of all alternatives and potential consequences, the purpose of Why kNOw is to educate students, parents, and teachers about the repercussions and responsibilities of sexual behavior, emphasizing selfcontrol and abstinence until marriage.”19 “Since 1992, Why kNOw Abstinence Education has taught thousands of students in the Chattanooga area to say ‘No’ to heartache, sexually transmitted diseases, and outof- wedlock pregnancy. They’ve said yes to a real future with a committed marital partner, children that have a mom and dad, and the security that follows when dreams become goals and goals become reality.”20 Key People Kris Frainie, Director and Founder Abstinence-Only Resources & Activities
WORTH THE WAITScott & White Worth the Wait® Background & Positions “The program’s mission is to educate adolescents and adults on the consequences of teen sexual activity including the medical, social, economic, and legal impacts.”21 “In 1996, Dr. Patricia J. Sulak, an obstetrician/gynecologist at Scott & White Memorial Hospital and Clinic, recognized the lack of an organized sex education program in Central Texas schools. Wanting to make a difference, she began to work with the local school district and Scott & White to develop and design Scott & White Worth the Wait®, an abstinence sex education program that promotes abstinence as the healthiest choice for adolescents.”22 Key People Dr. Patricia J. Sulak, Founder and Director Abstinence-Only Resources & Activities
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