Social

Community to address issues surrounding teen pregnancy

By DIANE TURBYFILL, LTN Staff Writer

March 22, 2002 - Callie was 15 when she discovered she was pregnant.

Through support from her family and members of the community, she is now raising her 2-year-old son, Logan. Callie, now 17, is a senior at West Lincoln High School. Her son attends Long Shoals Wesleyan Academy while she is at school.

Kim and Harvey Gates will join their daughter Monday night to speak about teen pregnancy.

The Gates want to tell the inside story of teen pregnancy.

“I’m going to tell them about my experience,” says Callie.

Healthy Teens… Healthy Communities is a Healthy Carolinians Task Force committee established to help youngsters make the right decisions.

As part of their mission, the committee will address the topic of teen pregnancy Monday night during a community forum at the Citizens Center.

“We want to educate the people who attend about the problem of teen pregnancy,” says Belinda Bumgarner, public health educator with the Lincoln County Health Department.

Bumgarner will speak during the forum. She says the issue is extremely relevant.

“North Carolina has the highest Hispanic teen pregnancy rate for the nation,” she says.

Those who attend the program will be given local resources, tips for talking to teens about sex, information about STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) and statistics for Lincoln County and North Carolina.

Bumgarner believes the program will be beneficial for both teens and parents, whether or not they are in the situation.

“We’re hoping to educate the community,” she says.

Stephanie Key, adolescent parenting coordinator with Lincoln County Social Services, will also speak Monday night.

“I’m going to tell about the girls in the program,” she says.

Key meets periodically with girls who are pregnant or are young mothers.

Though the Adolescent Parenting Program was not in place when Callie was pregnant, she finds the group very helpful now.

“It allows me to know that there are other people in the situation that I’m in.”

Kim Gates feels the help they’ve received from Key is invaluable.

“If Callie needs something, all she has to do is call Stephanie and she’s here to help.”

Key hopes spreading the word about her program will make those in need more aware of the help that is available.

Members of the committee not only plan to provide awareness but hope to gain volunteers.

Bumgarner says input is needed so that more programs can be established.

Representatives from New Life Pregnancy Services Inc. will be on hand to provide statistical information.

Linda Payseur, president and founder of the service, says she will “focus on what the problem is and what the community can do to reduce teen pregnancy.”

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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