Young males will have the opportunity to talk “man-to-man” about issues of sexuality as they take part in a youth forum sponsored by the Iota Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. The Project Alpha Youth Forum will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Oct. 26, at the University of the Virgin Islands, Room EVC 401, St. Croix.
Project Alpha is a national program designed to help young men make better and more informed choices about their sexual behavior. Since 1980, Alpha Phi Alpha and the March of Dimes have worked together to help young men make the right decisions about these complex issues.
Project Alpha aims to increase the awareness of sexually transmitted diseases and stress the importance of abstinence as a personal choice, while promoting the use of contraceptives to individuals that choose to be sexually active. In addition, the project aims to reduce the rate of adolescent sex and pregnancy; emphasize the roles and responsibilities of fatherhood; reduce the rate of sexual abuse and violence among teenagers; and learn what it means to “be a man.”
Project Alpha seeks to create a safe environment where young men can learn about and explore their sexuality, manhood and relationship issues.
Its three goals are:
Sharing Knowledge – combating ignorance and fear with factual information
Changing Attitudes – providing young men with the motivation they need to make positive changes in their sexual behaviors
Providing Skills – creating a sense of empowerment and self-esteem
The workshops are free and open to teen males who are from ages 13 to 18 years. For any additional information, contact Dino Fontaine at 609-481-8101.
