For two straight years, Georgia’s teen pregnancy rate has increased, reversing what had been an extended era of steady declines. The Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (G-CAPP) is raising awareness about the need to take action now by supporting programs aimed at comprehensive sex education.
Georgia’s rate of 67 pregnancies per 1,000 girls aged 15-19 ranks 10th highest in the nation. Some counties - such as Whitfield and Dougherty - have rates far higher. “We all have a stake in the future of Georgia. By investing in the prevention of teen pregnancy, we all benefit,” said G-CAPP founder and Atlanta resident Jane Fonda. “Georgia needs healthy, productive, well-rounded young people who will be able to give back to their communities as adults. We’ve made progress in reducing teen pregnancy, but we need to do much more.”
On May 6, in conjunction with the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, G-CAPP is launching an innovative, online fundraising campaign. Money raised from the six-month campaign will help support G-CAPP’s statewide work as a leader in pregnancy prevention.
G-CAPP’s fundraising initiative revolves around a new Web site, www.gpower2009.org. The gPOWER site allows donors to give amounts ranging from $1 to $1,500. Supporters can upload photos, videos and messages. They can also invite friends and family to join.
The campaign will focus heavily on the use of social media, including Facebook and Twitter. This online campaign is a departure for G-CAPP, which has, in the past, focused on fundraising events.
G-CAPP recommends and supports a wide range of programs that go well beyond the state’s most common program of abstinence-only-until-marriage. “We all agree that not having sex in the first place is the only 100-percent-effective method to prevent teen pregnancy,” Fonda said. “We also know it’s important to teach young people how to make responsible decisions regarding their health. Teen pregnancy is an issue that requires many solutions.”
Public service ads will appear on television soon, with an original song produced for gPOWER by two-time Grammy Award winner DJ Toomp. The project also involves the work of Atlanta singer-songwriter Evan McHugh, Def Jam recording artist Chrisette Michele and hip hop artist Ricco Barrino.
“G-CAPP is honored to have the backing of so many people who believe in this important cause,” said Michele Ozumba, president and CEO of G-CAPP. “The new gPOWER site is an exciting and easy way for people to get involved.”
About The Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention: G-CAPP is a statewide campaign that leads a coalition of partners and provides training and advocacy to increase local communities’ capability and capacity to end teen pregnancy.
For more information: Visit www.gcapp.org and www.gpower2009.org
Georgia’s rate of 67 pregnancies per 1,000 girls aged 15-19 ranks 10th highest in the nation. Some counties - such as Whitfield and Dougherty - have rates far higher. “We all have a stake in the future of Georgia. By investing in the prevention of teen pregnancy, we all benefit,” said G-CAPP founder and Atlanta resident Jane Fonda. “Georgia needs healthy, productive, well-rounded young people who will be able to give back to their communities as adults. We’ve made progress in reducing teen pregnancy, but we need to do much more.”
On May 6, in conjunction with the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, G-CAPP is launching an innovative, online fundraising campaign. Money raised from the six-month campaign will help support G-CAPP’s statewide work as a leader in pregnancy prevention.
G-CAPP’s fundraising initiative revolves around a new Web site, www.gpower2009.org. The gPOWER site allows donors to give amounts ranging from $1 to $1,500. Supporters can upload photos, videos and messages. They can also invite friends and family to join.
The campaign will focus heavily on the use of social media, including Facebook and Twitter. This online campaign is a departure for G-CAPP, which has, in the past, focused on fundraising events.
G-CAPP recommends and supports a wide range of programs that go well beyond the state’s most common program of abstinence-only-until-marriage. “We all agree that not having sex in the first place is the only 100-percent-effective method to prevent teen pregnancy,” Fonda said. “We also know it’s important to teach young people how to make responsible decisions regarding their health. Teen pregnancy is an issue that requires many solutions.”
Public service ads will appear on television soon, with an original song produced for gPOWER by two-time Grammy Award winner DJ Toomp. The project also involves the work of Atlanta singer-songwriter Evan McHugh, Def Jam recording artist Chrisette Michele and hip hop artist Ricco Barrino.
“G-CAPP is honored to have the backing of so many people who believe in this important cause,” said Michele Ozumba, president and CEO of G-CAPP. “The new gPOWER site is an exciting and easy way for people to get involved.”
About The Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention: G-CAPP is a statewide campaign that leads a coalition of partners and provides training and advocacy to increase local communities’ capability and capacity to end teen pregnancy.
For more information: Visit www.gcapp.org and www.gpower2009.org