A key strategy helping to move the needle in terms of teen pregnancy reduction is the implementation of proven prevention and education programs through Healthy Girls programs, funded by United Way. The Healthy Girls Initiative, established in 2001, supports evidence-based programs that respond to one of two issue areas identified as impediments to good health and well-being of young people in our community: teen pregnancy and sexual violence or victimization. After studying other communities and researching effective programming, United Way selected Making Proud Choices! and ¡Cuidate! as its signature curriculums. Both programs have been used successfully in Milwaukee and nationwide. By implementing the same programs throughout the community, United Way can accurately track progress and results through common outcomes and indicators, while also forming best practices. Both curriculums target not only girls, but also teen boys. Additional United Way programs reach an expanded audience, including parents, men, schools, churches and law enforcement.
United Way is funding 15 evidence-based Healthy Girls programs for a total investment of $631,000. More than 3,500 Milwaukee-area youth will be served by these programs. Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee - Making Proud Choices! Center for Self Sufficiency - Making Proud Choices! COA Youth and Family Centers - Making Proud Choices! Council for the Spanish Speaking, Inc - ¡Cuidate! HeartLove Place - Making Proud Choices! Neighborhood House of Milwaukee - Making Proud Choices! Neu-Life Community Resource Center - Making Proud Choices!
New Beginnings are Possible in partnership with New Concept Self-Development Center - Making Proud Choices! New Concept Self-Development Center - Making Proud Choices!
The Parenting Network – Making Proud Choices! Pathfinders - Making Proud Choices! PEARLS for Teen Girls - Making Proud Choices!
Rosalie Manor – Making Proud Choices! Silver Spring Neighborhood Center - Making Proud Choices! UMOS - Expect Respect Walker’s Point Youth and Family Center - Girls’ Circle Paths to the Future
Joy Appel, Community Volunteer Courtenay Kessler, Center for Urban Population Health Charissa Keup, Community Volunteer Laura Otto-Salaj, Helen Bader School of Social Welfare Ellen Redeker, The PrivateBank Maria Rodriguez, Housing Authority Taren R. Sartler, Modern Woodmen Christina Treiber, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee Sara Zellner, American Appraisal
United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Serve Marketing produce Baby Can Wait marketing and resources that receive national attention.
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United Way of Greater Milwaukee would like to acknowledge the creative and effective efforts of SERVE, a nonprofit ad agency that has developed the look and messaging for the media-driven teen pregnancy prevention campaign.