Teen Pregnancy Prevention Fund Awards $1,800 to Three Nonprofit Organizations

The Teen Pregnancy Prevention Fund, a component fund of the Community Foundation of Washington County MD, presented its fourth annual grant to three local nonprofit organizations. Each grant will support programs and education addressing teen pregnancy and unsafe sexual practices in teens. The nonprofit recipients included Boys and Girls Club of Washington County, Community Free Clinic and Together with Families/Washington County Family Center.Boys and Girls Club of Washington County received their grant for SMART Girls, a health, fitness, prevention/education and self-esteem enhancement program for girls ages 8-18 that encourages healthy attitudes and lifestyles. Activities include field trips, workshops, speakers and other events.The Community Free Clinic will use their grant for SWAG (Services We All Get), a program focused on healthy lifestyles/healthy living; high-risk behavior prevention; and sexual education, disease testing and prevention. Through SWAG, the Clinic provides free and confidential reproductive health services, including birth control, pregnancy testing, STD treatment and education.Together with Families/Washington County Family Center’s grant will go towards a new program, “Connect: Empowering Young Men to Make Smart Decisions.” Connect consists of eight, 60-minute sessions targeting young males between the ages of 16-21 in Washington County. Sessions will focus on communication, decision making, sex and contraception, responsible behavior and the consequences of unintended pregnancy at a young age. “This offers young men an opportunity for them to come together and discuss how becoming a dad has affected them and their lives,” said Dori Yorks, Washington County Family Center Director.