GUYS is a male involvement program aimed at reducing teen pregnancies as it's primary goal. The program is entirely asset based and relies upon a combination of education and high relationship oriented small groups. The program typically starts in the junior high and core groups are developed that are intended to stick together to grow and support these boys through high school.
Through asset growth the boys in GUYS are challenged to examine their stereotypes about relationships and their attitudes toward women. Concepts like honesty, respect, chivalry, and honor are core to the GUYS program. Our outcomes are encouraging. As the small groups stick together over time and they develop a bond with their group leader, we have noticed significant pre to post test improvement in key areas. After three years of programming and the largest growth in small group participants was noted in the areas of:
Collectively, these students improved on post tests from an average of 3.77 to 4.63 on a five point scale indicating protective factors helping them avoid becoming teen parents.
If you would like more information on GUYS, please contact us at (618) 997-5336, John Shadowens, ext. 6111 or Kristoffer Taylor, ext. 6159.