Many of these organizations are listed here because they provide information that you might find helpful. Most of them are national and you may not see them in your community. Since we are based in the Philadelphia, PA area, we have included some local organizations that are working here and have locations in this community.
We chose to include organizations that are legitimate, non-political, have a clear mission, use trained staff, are confidential, and have a true interest in serving youth. And of course, they have to provide accurate, unbiased information.
Alan Guttmacher Institute
A non-profit organization that promotes "free, informed and responsible choices for all men and women with regard to sexual activity, reproduction and family information in U.S. and world." A really great organization!
This is mostly an Information site, but see the Youth page: it's chock full of good stuff: http://www.guttmacher.org/sections/youth.html
CFOC: Campaign for Our Children
"The mission of Campaign For Our Children, Inc., is to develop research-based prevention messages and abstinence educational media campaigns which encourage healthy, responsible sexual decisions among early-adolescent youth, promote a more informed support system for youth;.... All proceeds to be dedicated to the development of new materials, research and programs."
Check out the Teen pregnancy clock and the Teen Guide page!
http://www.cfoc.org/3_teen/3_index.cfm
It has a lot of info geared toward Teens in a pretty cool format. They also have interviews with Jay Cooper (BET host) and Mia Hamm about their teen years.
The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
This foundation is an independent source of facts and analysis. They have a number of innovative campaigns going, including one with seventeen magazine to promote sexual health. Click on the Sex Smarts Link.
"The Kaiser Family Foundation and seventeen magazine have formed a public education partnership designed to provide young people with information and resources on sexual health issues. The campaign will address a wide range of topics including decision making about sex and the real facts on HIV/AIDS and other STDs."
The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
(Not as dry as it sounds!) They have tips for Teens, Tips for Parents From Teens, and more.
"The mission of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy is to improve the well-being of children, youth, and families by reducing teen pregnancy. The Campaign's goal is to reduce the rate of teen pregnancy by one-third between 1996 and 2005."
**They have Spanish Language pages as well**
NOAPP
The National Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy, Parenting and Prevention, Inc.
"A diverse network in every state and territory. ...Address the issues of adolescent sexuality, pregnancy and parenting at local, state and national levels."
Their Web Links for Teens is a great reference. Teens
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Sexuality Education Resources and more.
"Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., is the world's largest and most trusted voluntary reproductive health care organization. Founded by Margaret Sanger in 1916 as America's first birth control clinic, Planned Parenthood believes in everyone's right to choose when or whether to have a child, that every child should be wanted and loved, and that women should be in charge of their own destinies."
SIECUS
"The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS) is a national, nonprofit organization which affirms that sexuality is a natural and healthy part of living" Their teen page is Fabulous.
"It's about how to Talk About Sex...and to help yourself feel good, stay healthy, and not get hurt by disease, unwanted pregnancy or those painful and awkward times that can happen when it comes to sex."
Provides links to National and Regional organizations that address Women's Health, Bi-sexuality, Religion, STDs, and more.
LOCAL to the Philadelphia Area
Family Planning Council
The Family Planning Council is a private, non-profit organization. It's aim is to ensure the availability of high quality, comprehensive reproductive health services to low-income women, men and adolescents throughout the five county Philadelphia area.
**A LOT of good stuff here! This is an organization that has set up school-based Health Resource Centers (the list of schools is on their site) to provide adolescent health care and administer a condom availability program in these Philadelphia high schools.
"The existing ten HRCs are staffed by counselors, social workers, and health educators from local health providers......These centers are secure, confidential places where teens can go to receive condoms, along with counseling, abstinence information, health and sexuality information, and referrals."
Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania
Serves Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. Search their online sex education library catalog with more than 2,500 volumes (curricula information too!)
Site has links to all the local clinics and services.
Planned Parenthood of Chester County
Serves Chester County, with Health centers in Avondale, Coatesville, Phoenixville, and West Chester.