You Are Here: ProjecTruth
"ProjecTruth is the only program in Western New York that employs a character-based abstinence until marriage approach to reducing the social, physical, and emotional problems associated with sexual activity among adolescents. ProjecTruth is the primary source for education and resources to help these adolescents develop healthy, life-affirming attitudes towards the gift of human sexuality."
For more information, visit the ProjecTruth website at www.projectruth.com
Why ProjecTruth?
Current comprehensive sex education efforts are not working
- A teen contracts an STD every 8 seconds - 3.8 million cases annually
- 70 million Americans have an incurable STD
- Between 1988 and 1995 condom useage among teens increased 33% - pregnancy rates also increased 29%
Contraception - Why Not?
- Provides a dangerous false sense of security
- Sets expectation of failure
- Rationalizes undesired behavior
- Minimizes the message regarding emotional and psychological consequences
Why ProjecTruth?
Condoms Don't Protect the Fragile Heart
Contraceptive education fails to address the emotional and psychological consequences of sex outside of marriage for an adolescent's future happiness
Psychological Consequences Facing Teens
- Anxiety Over Pregnancy or STDs
- Regret and Self-Recrimination
- Guilt
- Loss of Self Respect / Self Esteem
- Shaken Trust - Fear of Commitment
- Rage Over Betrayal
- Depression & Suicide
- Stunted Personal Development
>>Thomas Lickona, State University of NY at Cortland
The Program
- Multi-Faceted Program
- Schools
- Healthcare Providers / Organizations
- Community Centers
- Social Service Organizations
- Faith Communities
- Businesses
- Federally Funded
- 3 year initiative of the Special Projects of Regional and National Significance (SPRANS) program
- Catholic Charities Administered
- More than 75 years in delivering social service programs
- Expert staff and resources
Dual Component Approach
- Character Education
- Provides development of "good judgment" decision making skills to provide a foundation for understanding relationships and decisions for regarding sexuality
- Abstinence Education
- Provides an understanding of the importance and proper role of sexuality in relationships and the many benefits of abstinence until marriage
Making A Difference For Students
ProjecTruth is committed to helping your students through this difficult and confusing time in their lives by:
- Providing age appropriate introduction to the concepts and benefits of an abstinence until marriage lifestyle
- Providing peer to peer mentoring
- Providing youth development activities
- Providing crisis intervention services
- Providing counseling to teachers & parents
- Providing curriculum, training and on-going support to schools
The Curriculum
- Character Component
- Love & Life at The Movies - provides students with visual and dynamic examples of character and virtue through viewing and discussion of one of four different classic films
- Timeline:
- 5 class sessions - 40 minutes per class
- The Abstinence Component
- Game Plan, developed in conjunction with former NBA star A.C. Green, it uses a positive sports-themed approach to understanding the benefits of abstinence until marriage.
- Timeline
- 8 Class Sessions - 40 minutes per class
How To Participate
- ProjecTruth will provide course materials and staff to present them
- 13 Class sessions are recommended
- Parents must consent to participation
- Students complete confidential survey
- Teachers learn to present the curriculum by observing ProjecTruth staff
