By Amanda Moses
Spring Creek Teen Central told their members “Don’t be Cupid,” when it comes to safe sex during a Valentine’s Day health workshop.
For the first time, Teen Central hosted an event that focuses on directly speaking with members on healthy sexual relationships, the importance of communication, what it means to have safe sex, consent, decision making and self-care.
Senior Director, Youth Development & Education Johnny Rosario shared that this initiative came about with the help of The Opportunity Hub’s social worker Diana Ouiya since the organization has made its mission to aid the Spring Creek Towers community in obtaining as much health resources as possible. With a focus on health and wellness, the non-profit worked with Protecting the East a community health project that emphasizes HIV prevention and sexual health.
“They curated a nice program with peer-led sessions on sex education and touched on conversations you should have before sex and after sex, how to have safe sex. It was a great event, and the kids really enjoyed it. They followed up with questions and really were engaged,” Rosario said.
For Jailynn Serrano, who both is a member of Teen Central and volunteers her time aiding younger students, the event was a much-needed conversation.
“I think it was a good experience. We talked about safe sex, decorated donuts, had hot chocolate, did surveys and really spent most our time planning on how we think relationships should go,” Serrano said.
“[The Protecting the East moderator] gave us advice on how to have sex protection, what sexual transmitted diseases are, and advice on a lot of stuff,” Serrano added.
Photos courtesy of Teen Central
