About Project REACH
:: What is Project REACH?
:: What we believe
:: What does Project REACH have to do with you?
:: Young people who participate in Project REACH will...
:: What teachers have to say
:: What students have to say
:: Who we are
:: How we are funded
:: How can I get involved?
Resources Encouraging Abstinence Character and Health is a project of The Responsible Social Values Program (RSVP) of Licking County. RSVP was founded in 1987 as a sexuality education program for middle schools. It quickly expanded to reach grades 5 through 10 and is now a required part of the curriculum in most school districts in Licking County.
Today’s youth are bombarded with mixed messages concerning sexuality. Project REACH is specifically designed to reinforce the benefits of delaying sexual activity and wise decision making. Project REACH combines information and goal oriented activities with humor to affect adolescent attitudes and behavior, foster self-esteem, and develop better family relationships.
Project REACH actively encourages student participants to become involved during the presentation instead of being passive listeners. The program is a thoughtful way to encourage students to look ahead to what life offers based on the decisions they make today.
Finally, Project REACH has been designed to reinforce, not replace, the vital information only a parent can relay to their son or daughter concerning this important topic. The staff of Project REACH welcomes any and all comments, concerns, or questions from parents.
Sexual feelings are normal and real, but sexual behavior is also controllable. Learning self-control is essential for good health.
Our youth deserve the highest standards of medically accurate information with clear, concise, and caring guidance for making the right decisions.
Education including: character development, the advantages of abstinence, refusal skills training, and role modeling, combined with medically accurate information is critical for today's youth.
Youth should receive positive recognition and reinforcement for mature decision making and problem solving skills.
WHAT DOES PROJECT REACH HAVE TO DO WITH YOU?
- 1 million teens give birth annually in the United States.
- By age 24, at least 1 in 3 sexually active people have contracted a sexually transmitted disease.
- 1 in 2 sexually active teens are believed to be infected with HPV, an incurable sexually transmitted disease.
- In Licking County births to teens age 13-17 have been reduced 45% since 1997.
YOUNG PEOPLE WHO PARTICIPATE IN PROJECT REACH WILL:
- Understand basic human sexuality and reproduction.
- Develop more mature decision-making and problem-solving skills.
- Improve their self-esteem and sense of worth to better withstand negative peer pressure.
- Learn to express affection in an appropriate manner.
- Strive to achieve better communication with their parents regarding their sexuality.
WHAT THE TEACHERS HAVE TO SAY:
“RSVP/REACH bridges the gap for our kids who need to hear factual information and have a knowledgeable adult friend to turn to for third person advice.”
Sheila Hiles - Retired Principal, Newark City Schools
“I am so grateful for this program. I realize how many lives have improved or been saved because of it!”
Patricia Harbuck – Watkins Middle School
“In my 14 years of teaching and observing RSVP/REACH in action, I have seen questions answered and ineptness changed as students have been given the truth.”
Matt Sutyak – Newark City Schools
WHAT THE STUDENTS HAVE TO SAY:
“Thank you for helping my friends, I know they will always remember what you taught.”
Megan – Willis Adams Middle School
“It was really good to learn what happened in your past doesn't matter. Thanks a bunch.”
Anonymous – Watkins Middle School
“The information on STDs really helped me to decide to become abstinent (again). Thanks for telling me about renewed abstinence.”
Anonymous – Lakewood High School
RSVP & Project REACH are governed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors. Board members for the 2008-2009 term are:
Mary Ann Grady, Executive Director
Marilyn Messick, President
Terry Barber, MD, Vice President
Joanne Stout, Treasurer
Julie McNulty, RN, Secretary
John Mazzone
Lori Mazzone
R.L. Eisenbach, youth representative
Maria Klockner, youth representative
RSVP and Project REACH are funded through a combination of a small Federal grant, and donations from a caring community of individuals, schools, and churches.
If you would like to help promote RSVP and Project REACH with a yearly pledge or a one time gift, you can mail your donation to RSVP of Licking County, P.O. Box 29, Newark, Ohio 43058-0029.