Choose to Wait

Reaching more than 6,500 students in 2010, Pregnancy Care Center’s Choose to Wait public school abstinence education program is respected and trusted by health teachers throughout South Central Indiana. Presented in upper elementary, middle/junior high and high schools in conjunction with health classes Choose to Wait is age appropriate, factual and medically accurate. The program engages students with multi-media, interactive presentations that challenge students to confront choices and explore consequences of sexual decision making.

The Choose to Wait Elementary program is designed to reveal to upper elementary students the value of self and importance of boundaries for a healthy lifestyle. A key component in all Choose to Wait presentations is addressing healthy lifestyle choices beyond that of physical. By examining mental, emotional, social, and ethical choices and consequences in conjunction with boundary setting, students are empowered to reach their full potential and maximize their ability to reach future goals.

Choose to Wait Middle School/Jr. High builds on key concepts taught in the upper elementary program. We explore the influence of the media and entertainment industry at deeper levels. Peer pressures are addressed and how to combat them. Understanding of pubescent emotional vulnerability is emphasized. Choices and direct consequences are confronted and personal boundary setting is established by each student in these classes.

The Choose to Wait High School program aids students in realizing choices today impact future goals. Why marriage matters and obstacles to having a solid marriage are discussed. Media exposure and portrayal of relationships are analyzed. Entertaining, yet medically accurate, skits and illustrations allow students to be impacted by the factual data this generation must confront about sexual decision making as a teen. Teen pregnancy rates, Sexually Transmitted Infections/Diseases, and mental, emotional, social, and ethical consequences of sex before marriage are addressed. Equipping teens to make healthy choices and giving students hope for a solid, healthy future is emphasized.

All programs are presented by highly trained, compassionate speakers. A hope for fresh starts and new beginnings are a part of each program. Facts and data are referenced for accurate information.

Here is what teachers are saying about the program that has been serving South Central Indiana for more than 16 years:

• “The Choose to Wait program is one of the best programs to promote abstinence I have seen in almost 30 years of teaching. My students look forward to hearing from the “Sex Guy”. Even several years after the presentation, my juniors and seniors still talk about the things that they learned in the presentation and how it made them think about their decisions”
  
  Sharon Mang
  Greensburg High School Department Chair: Family and Consumer Sciences, Business, Industrial Technology
  
  

• “Just as Christ ministered to people with the truth where they were, Choose to Wait ministered to young people with the truth where they are. When Christ was on the earth, he wasn’t about religion---the Pharisees took care of that. He was about relationships and truth. THAT is what Choose to Wait is also about.”
  
  Trish Bennett
  Shelbyville High School Family and Consumer Science Teacher
  
  

• “Choose to Wait is a powerful program. The material is fresh, current and appealing to the teenagers. The students thoroughly enjoy this unit and become highly engaged in the activities in the process. The most important outcome is that many take a serious look at their own lives and commit to making a choice for abstinence.”
  
  Gail Hughes
  Jennings County High School Teacher of Physical Education and Health
  
  

• “The Pregnancy Care Center's team has been a long term partner with Columbus North High School in providing the best and most current information regarding risks associated with being sexually active. I always receive positive feedback from our health teachers and students regarding the presentations. I would like to thank the PCC for the quality information and service they provide for our students.”
  
  Steve Gobert
  North High School Health and Physical Ed. Department Coordinator
  
  

• “Choose to Wait is an inspiring program that has become a vital component to the Seymour High School Health curriculum.”
  
  Aaron Floyd
  Seymour High School Teacher of Health and P.E.

For more information, contact:
Tracey Pike
Director of Community Education
traceyp@pregcarecenter.org
812-378-4114 ext 107 or toll free 866-968-WAIT (9248)

I Decide For Me

"I Decide For Me" is an online resource for students who have been through the Pregnancy Care Center's Junior and Senior High Choose to Wait program. Students can confidentially ask questions through the "Talk to Taylor" feature about love, sex, dating, pregnancy---you name it! Their questions are answered using facts and data to help students to make the healthiest decisions for them. The site is an excellent tool for students long after the speakers have presented in the classroom. Visit the website at www.IDecideForMe.com