Sociology receives 140K to host abstinence program

Southern University’s Department of Sociology received a $140,000 grant from the Louisiana Department of Social Services to host a summer youth program entitled “Southern University Empowering Youth Choices” (SUEYC), which will run from June 19th until August 11th.
“This program is important for many reasons including the fact that we have major problems with HIV and STD’s and we must do something to stop it,” said Dr. Raid Yehya, principle investigator and associate professor of the sociology department. “50 percent of AIDS cases are African-American which is sad when they represent 12 percent of the population”.
SUEYC will consist of a comprehensive eight week program that will encourage youths to avoid risky behavior and reduce the proportion of adolescents who engage in premarital sexual activity, including, but not limited to, sexual intercourse, reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies among adolescents and reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases among adolescents. It is also noted that the program doesn’t have a religious agenda at all, it’s just to stop the high rate of STDs and teen pregnancy.
“Teen pregnancy is a major problem in the inner North Baton Rouge community and research shows that pregnancy results in negative consequences not only for the pregnant teen, but also for her baby, family and society,” said Yehya.
There will be many activities from an academic curriculum to fun recreational activities. Community leaders around Louisiana will also speak to participants of the program.
The age group for the program will be 11 through 18 with that focusing on pre- college students and will be free and open on a first come, first-serve basis to everyone in or around the Baton Rouge community because according to Yehya that age group are involving themselves in more and more sexual activities.