Teens tackle sex education Deana Lancaster News Reporter deana@nsnews.com ALL teens sit through it: the lecture on sex, birth control and choices, all delivered by someone from another generation. It’s hard to make a con- nection. But sometimes all it takes for information to reach its target is a different messen- ger. That's why teen mothers from the Learning Together program at Sutherland sec- ondary schoo! hope soon to be raiking to students at other North Shore high schools. “There are nine young wonten involved in this pro- gram,” said = coordinator Lianne Dunster. “In teams of three they’re going to visit Grade 9 classes to give them information they’re not going to get in sex ed. Some of them were using birth control when they got pregnant. There are no guarantees.” According to Dunster, the number of teenaged girls hav- ing babies is decreasing, but the number of teenagers keeping their babies is on the rise. And that’s a problem. “Irs an extremely difficult road,” she said of voung women who choose to keep their babies. “Some do have lots of sup- port but it’s not easy.” The students in the Learning Together program Youth get AN anti-violence pro- gram for youth has received a grant from North Vancouver City to develop a new initia- tive. A $2,580 grant was approved on Monday for The Works, a YMCA program. The money will be used for a violence prevention pro- gram that would consist_ of two components, according to a staff report prepared for council. The first. component would involve the training of ® Leather Jackets ¢ Cozy cotton fleece e Party Wear ¢ Suits © Blouses © Sweaters & more! are fortunate: they can drop their babies off at the daycare in Sutherland’s parking lot, then head to the classroom. “They can be with their babies anytime, and for those who. are still breasticeding, they can come in to do that.” The program is fully fund- ed obys the Children and Families, so the students do not have to pay for the daycare service. Bat they do have to make a commitment to the pro- gram. Even with the support from Learning Together, hav- ing a baby while still in their teens has meant an enormous lifestyle change for the stu- dents. And it’s information about those challenges thev’re going to share with other voung people. “They're going to tell them peer to peer what it’s like,” Dunster said. This year the presentation program is being given a kick- start through a leadership development program provid- ed by the Vancouver Grizzlies’ Team Up program. A student from the Learning Together program will join other representatives from B.C. secondary schools for a weekend workshop to develop leadership skills. The teen) morhers are available to visit Grade 9 class- es on the North Shore to inerease awareness of contra- ception, sexually transmitted diseases and the challenges of teen parenting. city grant three tens as “violence pre- vention facilitators.” “They would be trained in conflict resolution, anger manage- ment, and peer mediation. The sccond component involves developing a violence Prevention resource kit that would be made available to individual youths and youth groups. The report cites the grow- ing problems of youth vio- lence, including the recent tragic death of Reena Virk in Saanich, as prime reasons why this program is nceded. — Myke Clark Ministry of Friday, December 19, 1997 — North Shore News — 15. + Cr os ed 1 NEWS photo Terry Peters PAMELA Caideron, here with daughter Tiana, is one of nine teenaged motiners who will be visiting Grade 9 classrooms on the North Shore to share information about contraception, sexually transmitted diseases, and the challenges of parenting. Gentle Breeze White Goose Down 320 thread count, baffled box construction. 575 fill power. 20 year warranty. Regular Twin (300z.) 269.99 DbVOn (400z.) 389.99 King (480z.) 439.99 SALE! 179.99 259.99 293.99 ‘Cub Fleece Throws 7 Regular 49.99 Gift Giving Just Got Easter! Reyaf Veivet® irregular Towels by Fielderest® 100% ring spun combed cot- ton. Slight imperfections won't affect wear. If Perfect SALE! 16.99 6.99 12.99 4.99 6.99 2.99 Bath towel Hand towel Face cloth “Christmas Holly Tablecloth “| Regular 26.99-39°99 TWIN Amalfi Bed-in-a-Bag Featuring 180 thread count percale sheets. Choose from navy or burgundy. Regular SALE! Twin, 6 pe. set —-:199.99 119.99 Double, 8 pe. set 249.99 169.99 Queen, 8 pe. set 299.99 199.99 King, Spc. set 369.99 229.99 yed Plaid Flannel ” lar 17:99-119.99° 7 North Vancouver Capilano Mall (604) 980-8922 © Burnaby Eaton Centre Metrotown (604) 451-8824 Richmond Landsdowne Park Shopping Centre (604) 244-319 © Surrey Guildford Towne Centre (604) 589-0955 - Victoria Mayfair Shopping Centre (250) 384-3377 © Kelowaa Orchard Park Shopping Centre (250) 860-5722 OPEN BOXING DAY! CALL FOR EXTENDED HOLIDAY HOURS