provide risk-reduction sex ed to youth who need it most!Candice Reich

This project will benefit the community by providing youth an opportunity to make healthy sexual decisions. By teaching youth skills to protect themselves as well as why protection is important, youth are more likely to engage in safer sex (e.g. condom use). As a result, youth will be less likely to contract STIs, including HIV, and will also be less likely to experience unintended pregnancy. Rates of STIs have been steadily increasing in Simcoe County, and outreach programs such as this one are not currently offered in Orillia. Because this program is skills-based, youth have a chance to interact with the information and practice what they learn. This project fills an existing gap in the community, addressing the needs of youth to have a safe space to talk about sex and sexuality, get support and information, and learn new skills. Other organizations in the area support this initiative and recognize its value to young people in the Orillia area.