Teen-Pregnancy Initiative Sponsors Both Sexes’ B’ball Tourney

I Matter, a Teen Pregnancy Initiative of the Family Planning Council, began in February 2011 with a goal to reduce teen birth rates by 10% over the next four years in West and Southwest Philadelphia.

Funded through the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the Office of Adolescent Health, the Family Planning Council is one of only nine organizations in the US selected to participate in President Obama’s national Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative.

Currently, West and Southwest Philadelphia experience a teen birth rate that is almost twice the national average, and statistics from the Philadelphia Youth Risk Behavior Survey indicate the following about Philadelphia teens: 61% of teens have had sexual intercourse, 15% had sexual intercourse for the first time before age 13 years, 27% had sexual intercourse with four or more persons during their lifetime.

Since community ownership and support of the project ensures the success of the initiative and supports long-term sustainability for effective programs and activities, I Matter has partnered with The Foundation for a Better Society to host a Community Appreciation Day/ 3 on 3 Teen Male & Female Basketball Tournament on Sep. 15 at Kingsessing Recreation Center, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The Foundation for a Better Society manages programs from community leaders and organizers, faith-based organizations, and government organizations that build stronger communities by bringing change and a better way of living starting with families.

The basketball tournament will host 16 total of teams, eight teams for young men and eight teams for young women between the ages of 15-19 years. Since the target area is West and Southwest Philadelphia, teen participants in West/Southwest Philadelphia will get preference, though all teens are welcome.

The community summit will feature Project partners and community organizations, VILLA giveaways, face-painting, HIV testing, gift-card giveaways and free food. In addition to the basketball tournament, teens attending will be given the latest data on additional programming available to them through this initiative. Community-specific fact sheets and brochures will also be distributed.

Teen pregnancy is a complex and multi-faceted issue, and the participation of community members is necessary to effect lasting, community-wide change. I Matter believes, “With community, parent and sponsor support, we will gain increased community support to effectively reduce teen pregnancy.”

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