| Teens
listen to teens! Peers have a powerful impact! Students
talking to students about the value of sexual abstinence is
a message that is being received and practiced in Spokane Public
Schools and other schools in the Spokane, Washington area.
Sexual abstinence
is "in" thanks to numbers of teens willing to step
forward and say, "I'm not doing it!" 
Hundreds of
Spokane students in high school and middle school are being
encouraged not to have sex by respected high school students
from varied social groups. These teens form teams of
six students, along with their adult coach. Teams
usually consist of three males and three females, both virgins
and "secondary virgins" (persons who have experienced
sex but are now choosing abstinence). These teams travel
to middle/junior high schools and talk with 8th graders about
their choices to remain abstinent. Some teams perform
skits
dealing with sexual pressure and refusal skills that are viewed
by 9th grade health classes.
The overall
effect has radically changed the school environment from intense
pressure to have sex to, "It's cool to be sexually abstinent!"
SPAM's
Vision Statement
is to empower teens to choose sexual abstinence
as a healthy choice.
SPAM's
Mission Statement
-
It is the mission of Spokane Peer Abstinence Movement to
assist school districts in developing effective peer-taught
sexual abstinence programs. SPAM, in partnership with students,
parents, schools, and the community, challenges teens to
consider the numerous benefits of postponing sexual activity
until establishing a mutually faithful monogamous relationship,
as in marriage.
SPAM's
Goal
is to significantly reduce teen sex which will, in turn,
lower pregnancy, reduce sexually transmitted diseases and
improve the emotional climate within the schools and the
community. Check specific
goals.
SPAM's
Message
is clear and simple! Teens that are not having sex
are not getting pregnant, are not causing pregnancy, are
not getting sexually transmitted diseases and have fewer
emotional worries than sexually active teens. Abstinent
teens have less stress in their lives and more
FREEDOM and FUN!
Shadle Park Skit
Team after presenting at an Abstinence Conference.
5100 W. Shawnee Avenue • Spokane, WA 99208
Fax: (509) 354-4626 • Voice Mail: (509) 354-4593 • Email:
vernp@spokaneschools.org
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