Prevention Education - IMPACT (grade 6)

The primary goal of the Prevention Education arm of the ministry is to educate teens and adults on the many benefits of abstinence until marriage and the many damaging consequences of sex before marriage. To best deliver the information necessary to communicate the whole truth about sex before marriage, The Life Center has created a number of educational and character reinforcing programs that speak to the audience on their level. Thanks to the generous donations of TLC supporters, all of the programs are made available to schools, churches and community groups throughout West Texas at NO COST.

IMPACT Character/Abstinence Program:
Is a three-day character-focus program for sixth graders that lays the foundation of self-value, basic sexual anatomy, risk behavior avoidance and abstinence commitment as a "prep course" for the TASk Program at higher grade levels. Boys and girls are separated for these presentations.

Synopsis:
IMPACT! is a three-day, NO COST, character-based abstinence education program designed for the sixth grade level as a foundation for decision making skills necessary to avoid "high risk" behaviors. The purpose of the program is to reach students at an earlier age with factual information concerning the benefits of abstinence and the consequences of sex before marriage. This program addresses all seven Key Topics of the National Guidelines for Sexuality and Character Education set forth by Medical Institute of Sexual Health (MISH). These topics include: Character Formation, Human Development, Relationships, Family, Sexual Behavior, Sexual Health, and Media & Society. Boys and girls are taught seperately for the entire presentation with a male presenter for the boys and a female presenter for the girls.

Theme:
The program content is divided into three 45-minute presentations. The focus of each presentation day is based on a specific location in an unknown galaxy. Students are asks to "join in a great adventure" to the far reaches of a distant universe to learn something about our world.
Each day students will complete a worksheet summary for that day's information. These worksheets are included in a personal IMPACT workbook that students can keep as a reminder of all they learn. Also included in the workbook is a map of the galaxy to track their course each day and an Abstinence Commitment Pledge that can be signed and dated at the end of the program by both the student and their parent.

DAY ONE: The Great Frontier: The Choices We Make

Goal:
To equip sixth grade students to make better choices concerning sex before marriage and other risk behaviors.

Outline:
• Speaker/Program Introduction
• Distribute materials (IMPACT Workbooks)
• Discuss "high risk" behaviors with focus on premarital sex and define risk, consequence and benefit
• Discuss the importance of "right choices" and how choices affect us in many different ways
• Define abstinence
• Play The Great Frontier board game and discuss the benefits of sexual abstinence and the consequences of sex before marriage.
• Challenge students to think about their futures (career, marriage, etc.) and stress the importance of decisions made today.

DAY TWO: Star Power: All About You

Goal:
Teach basic sexual anatomy, character traits and self-worth.

Outline:
• Review the previous day
• Inform students that today's focus is not sex, but you!
• Educate students on basic sexual anatomy and reproduction
• Complete the STAR POWER! diagram in the workbook
• Discuss the importance of character, values and our uniqueness in making better decisions

DAY THREE: Fantasy World: Illusion vs. Reality
and kNOw Way: Peer Review

Goals:
Clarify the reality of sex from the media message
Equip students to say NO to peer pressure.

Outline:
• Review the previous days
• Define media, media types, fantasy and reality
• Create a comparison between students standards and media's message
• Define Peer Pressure
• Discuss Healthy Affection vs. Inappropriate Behavior
• Discuss what to do in case of inappropriate behavio
• Discuss the effects of peer pressure and the importance of choosing your friends wisely
• Water Demonstration
• Discuss general life goals and the importance of boundaries to achieve those goals
• Challenge students set boundaries for relationships and have high standards
• Practice verbal techniques to resist inappropriate pressure
• Challenge students to make a commitment to abstinence (and other risk behaviors) and to share this commitment with parents and friends


For a detailed overview of program content, follow the links above. To contact The Life Center to discuss the programs or schedule a presentation, contact Todd Gatlin Prevention Programs Manager, at 432.683.6072.

We are always accepting applications for part-time program presenters. For job description and requirement, follow the Volunteer Opportunities link at the top of the page.