Education Program - Updates

From: Karen Olson, Education Program Coordinator

LIFE CHOICES - TEEN ADVOCATE PROGRAM

The Teen Advocate Rally is in May in Longmont where we will introduce new people to the TA program. Dinner will be provided, and anyone interested is invited.

THE TEEN ADVOCATE PROGRAM

The Life Choices Teen Advocate Program is an outreach of the Life Choices Education Program.  We are a non-profit organization that exists to minister the love of Jesus Christ by encouraging the community to embrace healthy lifestyle choices. The TA's outreach targets Boulder, Larimer and Weld County youth.

WHO ARE TEEN ADVOCATES?

Teen Advocates are 14-18 year olds who are committed to abstaining from pornography, premarital sex, drugs, alcohol and tobacco. They are teens who have a desire to impact the lives of their peers about the benefits of abstaining from high risk behaviors, primarily premarital sexual involvement.

PURPOSE of TEEN ADVOCATES:

• To serve as role models to those they speak to at schools and youth groups.
• To support one another to remain sexually pure until marriage and to abstain from drugs, alcohol, tobacco and pornography.
• To share biblical truth and the love of Jesus in a non-threatening manner with those they encounter in classrooms and youth groups when given the opportunity.

WHAT DO TEEN ADVOCATES DO?

The TAs are an integral part of the Life Choices Education Program. The Education Program is typically a 3 hour long classroom presentation. The TAs are often involved in the last hour of the Middle school classroom presentations.  Usually four TAs come to a school, share an introduction about their decision to live a healthy lifestyle and then lead small group discussions.
This program uses the powerful tool of peer pressure in a positive way. The responses we get from teens that see the TAs is very positive. The encouragement students get from seeing their own peers take a stand on some hard issues gives them the courage to do the same. Some are also given the opportunity to change their destructive behavior, as some Teen Advocates have done.  Teen Advocates gives you a fresh start and a group you can be safe and accountable with.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS AND COMMITMENT TO BE A TEEN ADVOCATE?

• Must be a sophomore, junior, or senior in high school (some exceptions are given to mature high school freshmen).
• Must sign a one-year contract to remain abstinent from pornography, tobacco, drugs, alcohol and sexual activity.
• Must be committed to attend the Teen Advocate Retreat and attend monthly meetings. If you miss two meetings you are put on probation and after missing three, you are asked to resign (some exceptions are made for extreme cases).  Why is this? We need teens that are not only committed to the TA Program but also to their peers who are working beside them in this ministry.

HOW DO THE TAs PREPARE FOR THE CLASSROOM/YOUTH GROUP SESSIONS?

Our TA Fall Retreat gives a broad education for many of the issues the Teen Advocates will be talking about in the classrooms and life. TAs will be offered workshops, general sessions on the benefits of premarital abstinence, team building opportunities, and lots of fun with other TAs.  At our monthly meetings we will be spending time in team building, prayer, biblical training on relationships, and preparing for the classroom sessions.

In order to come to a school session, the TA is required to have parent and teacher permission to miss class.  They need to provide their own transportation to classroom presentations, though many times the TAs carpool.

WHAT DO YOU GET OUT OF THE TEEN ADVOCATE PROGRAM?

Besides support in your decision to remain abstinent in high risk behaviors we have FUN!  You also become part of a super- loving, accepting, support group with dedicated adult volunteers who surround you with their guidance and love. The TA Retreat is a great place to form relationships with the group and get training for the year ahead.  The monthly meetings give you an opportunity to spend time with your new friends and support system as well as being trained and equipped. Other scholastic benefits include volunteer hours for National Honor Society and related groups.  Most of all is the satisfaction you will find in helping other teens in important, life changing decisions.

IS THERE A COST INVOLVED?

Life Choices finances the majority of the costs involved for training the Teen Advocates.  The cost for the TA Fall Retreat is $35. We do not want lack of funds to be a reason for someone not to be involved in Teen Advocates.  If needed, there are scholarship opportunities available on a limited basis.  There may also be optional activities to participate in that could include other costs.

Download an Application

Please Mail Completed Application to:
Life Choices
c/o Karen Olson
20 West Mountain View Avenue
Longmont, CO 80501

Or drop it by the Longmont Center (above address)
Hours: Monday & Thursday: 12:00-6:00;
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday:10:00-4:00

Karen Olson
Education Program Coordinator
303-651-2050
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