Uniondale CBAPP
- Many Uniondale teens spend after-school involved in dance, karate and drumming instead of "hanging out."
- Others learn about self-esteem and setting goals for their futures.
- Still others head for computer technology classes at Hofstra.
- Boys get to play basketball, but not until they hear about protecting themselves from sexually transmitted diseases and their part in preventing unintended pregnancy.
- When school's out, there's summer camp.
- Then there's free health services, mentoring, one-on-one counseling and just about everything else young people can use to help them plan for successful futures.
Over the past year and a half more than 1,000 Uniondale teens have taken advantage of these and other services that comprise Planned Parenthood of Nassau County's (PPNC) comprehensive after-school program called CBAPP (Community-Based Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program). With a history of 17 successful months, PPNC has announced it's planning to expand the program by reaching even more young men and women.
Learning about male responsibility before getting to play basketball"Today's world is hard for most teenagers to negotiate," said Denise Ambroise-Morone, the Director of CBAPP Uniondale. "There's so much pressure from peers, parents, the media; young people need help developing positive attitudes and healthy behaviors, confidence and skills to lead successful lives. So far, we've been thrilled with our success. Kids seem to have acquired a wealth of life skills and they're enjoying themselves while expanding their worlds." And, as with all PPNC youth programs, she said, pregnancy prevention underlies all else.
Help mastering computersThe CBAPP program is funded by a grant from the New York State Department of Health and is enriched through partnering with local community organizations, including Grace Multi Service Community Development Corp., Uniondale Community Council and S.T.R.O.N.G. "CBAPP is the total community pitching in to make a difference in young peoples' lives," said JoAnn D. Smith, President and CEO of PPNC.
CBAPP-funded music class at Grace Multi-Community Development CorpAmbroise-Morone said that a significant sector of the program involves parents, other caretakers and teachers through workshops on communicating and parenting skills. "We give to the adults tools for communication; communication helps to foster honesty and encourages ones children to share their concerns."
Another CBAPP- funded program at Grace, this one in, marshal artsWhile promoting abstinence, the health services, based in the PPNC Hempstead Health Center, include free birth control for teens who choose to be sexually active, family-planning counseling, education about and treatment of sexually transmitted infections and related medical services. Ambroise-Morone said that anyone who lives or goes to school in Uniondale up to the age of 19 can now participate in the activities and/or services. A parent, guardian or student can call 516-570-2607 or e-mail denise.morone@ppnc.org. All programs are free. All photos and copy courtesy of Marilyn Goldstein, Uniondale CBAPP.
