- Multi-service organizations: recreation, sports
teams, vocational training, tutoring
- Workplace and religious groups: information and
services
- Peer promoters or educators: information, counseling
and condoms
- Youth centers for pregnant and parenting
teens: continuing education and skills training
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Community-based youth organizations have faced opposition due
to fears — which research has shown are unfounded —
that contraceptive services will lead to increased sexual activity.
Consequently, programs have often incorporated reproductive
health services for youth into broader service offerings, including
recreation, sports teams, drama groups, vocational training
and tutoring. Youth-oriented activities such as scout programs
have begun to focus on reproductive health services. Religious
organizations can also be effective with education, recreation
and other youth programs. Community programs can also target
out-of-school youth through street programs and the workplace.
Programs such as these can help provide adult role models for
youth. Youth themselves — called peer promoters or educators
— often provide information, counseling and in some cases
condoms to other youth. A study in Mexico showed that peers
and adults can be used effectively in varying circumstances.
Some community-based programs have focused specifically on
serving pregnant and parenting teens. While these programs generally
serve small numbers of young women, some have helped change
national policies, allowing young women to remain in school.
These projects have helped pregnant and parenting youth finish
school. They have also offered tutoring, skills training and
vocational training. Research has shown that there are fewer
second pregnancies among program graduates compared to other
adolescent mothers.
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