Sexual Health AIDS Awareness Peer Education - SHAPE

Vital Stats

Emilia V

Boulder, CO

  • people helped2500
  • People Doing It 30

The Problem

SHAPE addresses sexual health education as well as youth empowerment. The U.S. has the highest teen pregnancy rate in the developed world, reporting 22% of women under twenty getting pregnant. This is double that of Britain, the next highest. The Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that 48% of teens in Boulder had sexual intercourse before 12th grade, and 78% in Longmont. 30% of sexually active teens report not using any form of protection. SHAPE works to teach youth that using protection, from contraceptives to condoms, is invaluably important. Each member of SHAPE is a role model for their peers, whether they choose to be abstinent or choose to use condoms and protection. SHAPE also promotes Teen Clinic a free and confidential clinic for teens, providing free contraceptives, condoms, testing, annuals, and counseling.

Plan of Action

SHAPE has made a significant impact on youth in Boulder. During the 2007-08 school year SHAPE reported reaching 1,300 youth throughout Boulder, with 7 educators. This year SHAPE has 17 members. SHAPE passes out approximately 2,500 condoms every year. I can see that SHAPE has an impact when people approach me in the hallways of my school and ask me for condoms or what the symptoms of herpes look like. They know who I am and that I am in SHAPE. Most youth learn about sex from their peers, if those peers are educated and are not making up information youth will be protected and taken care of.
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Sex and Relationships

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