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You First - "Think of Your Future First"

Lexington and Saluda County Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Initiative

YOU FIRST is a five county Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Initiative that covers Lexington, Saluda, Richland, Fairfield and Newberry counties. The organization and its staff are dedicated to reducing teen pregnancy rates by promoting awareness, facilitating collaborative activities, encouraging community involvement and focusing on positive youth development.

YOU FIRST is a Division of Family Service Center of South Carolina, which is the oldest non-profit agency in the state. YOU FIRST is abstinence based and believes in educating and equipping youth with knowledge, skills and resources to make wise decisions. Director for the YOU FIRST Lexington and Saluda Counties, Fabrienne Payne states, "We want to educate and build upon the positive aspects of healthy lifestyles." Ms. Payne, and her Community Coordinator, Tiffany Bosket, serve their communities by giving presentations, workshops or consulting services to groups, and faith based organizations who request them. They also work with community members to empower individuals to make changes within the community and they develop, implement and facilitate resources in the community that address reducing at-risk behaviors in youth.

Teen pregnancy has a tremendous impact on not only the teen mother and her baby but also society. A 2003 report commissioned by the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy shows that each time a teen in our state gives birth it cost taxpayers over $21,000 a year. Therefore, the decrease in teen births from 2001 to 2002 saved the state more than $13.6 million.

While South Carolina has had one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the nation, statistics show that the efforts of local pregnancy prevention initiatives, after-school programs and youth development initiatives do make a difference and must be continued. These programs and initiatives are having an impact in the lives of youth and the communities.

All YOU FIRST county programs have Teen Outreach Programs (TOP) and are finding that the programs benefit participants and the communities. TOP helps adolescents develop a positive self-image, life management skills and goals. Additional activities of YOU FIRST include a Sister-To-Sister program designed to address the needs of young teenage girls and Brother-To-Brother a similar program for young teenage males. YOU FIRST recently held part one of a three part symposium entitled "Man to Man: He’s not heavy, He’s my Brother" for males age 10 years and up. The symposium promoted awareness of male responsibility as it relates to teen pregnancy prevention, child rearing, morals and values and positive self-esteem. YOU FIRST also held its 4th annual Family Talk Dinner in collaboration with the Sisterhood and Brotherhood Projects of Saluda County. Attendees enjoyed an evening of food, fellowship and family.

In October, You First turns its attention to Let's Talk Month, a national public education campaign. Let's Talk Month is an opportunity for community agencies, religious institutions, businesses, schools, media, parent groups and health providers to plan programs and activities that encourage parent/child communication about sexuality.

To learn more about becoming involved with YOU FIRST or your community’s adolescent pregnancy prevention program, call the Family Service Center at 803.358.9076.