Educational Theatre

Y4C (Youth 4 Change) has added a new element to our community mobilization efforts regarding adolescent sexual health. On Wednesday, February 8^th, 2012 we will be introducing our first educational theater piece at our first community conversation of the year. The topic is Stigma and how it creates barriers for adolescents to properly care for their health. The young people of Y4C have hit the ground running with their acting skills and preparing skits that will not only capture an audience’s attention, but it will create a perfect avenue for legitimate discussion on topics such as; teen pregnancy, homosexuality, bullying, STD prevention, and parent/youth communication. These topics are sensitive but need to be addressed so our young people have a level of comfort to openly discuss their concerns and also get the proper health services that they need. This is the first of hopefully many Y4C educational theater performances, so stay tuned!

The event, A Community Conversation on Stigma & Adolescent Sexual Health, will be held on Wednesday, February 8, 2012, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m., at Action for a Better Community, Action Front Center, 33 Chestnut Street, 2nd  Floor Rochester, NY  14604.  Both youth and adults are invited.  Let's start the dialog! 





Y4C Rehearsing Educational Theatre for Community Conversation on Stigma & Adolescent Sexual Health

Letter to Rochester City School District Board

Next week, on January 26, the Rochester City School Board will vote on policy changes that provides comprehensive sexual health education and access to prevention resources (condoms) to high school students.  ABC Youth Leaders drafted a letter to the Commissioners of Health.  They are asking community members to sign this letter and they will deliver them to the school board members.

Board of Education

Rochester City School District

131 West Broad Street

Rochester, NY  14614

Dear Commissioners:

I support the proposed changes in the Rochester City School District AIDS education policy.  I believe this policy will provide students with the information and resources necessary for them to take personal responsibility and make informed decisions for their sexual health.  The rates of HIV, STIs and unintended teen pregnancies among Rochester youth create a public health issue and demand a call to action by the entire community.

Young people today are bombarded with mixed messages from media, social networking and peers that often leave them misinformed and confused.  I believe that teachers, school nurses, health educators and school based clinic staff will play an active role in providing students with the information and resources needed to make healthy decisions.  I acknowledge and support the active roles that parents play in educating their children around sexual health, but there are many students who have no one.    They need the unbiased professional who will listen and guide them without judgment. 

Rochester teens have identified the lack of access to condoms (for sexually active youth) as a barrier to their sexual health.  There is a misperception that access to condoms encourages sexual activity.  Research demonstrates that condom availability programs in schools do not result in increased sexual activity but in fact increase condom usage for sexually active youth.  I believe that condom education and access from a school educator or health care professional in the RCSD will demonstrate equal success.

I appreciate the time and commitment the RCSD Board members have put forth in addressing this issue.  I encourage you to listen to the facts and science behind the issue and not make decisions out of misinformation or fear.   I sincerely urge you to take action to address the sexual health education and access to services for your students and vote to pass the AIDS Education policy before you.

Thank you very much!

Sincerely,

Youth 4 Change

ABC Action Front Center Youth Leaders