Local Youth Serving as Advisor to The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy

Local Youth Serving as Advisor to The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy

(Washington, DC)—Weston Brian Lee, 17, of Pleasant View, UT was recently selected as a member of The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy’s 2015-2016 Youth Leadership Team (YLT).  The Youth Leadership Team is a diverse group of 14 teens from across the country each of whom serve an 18-month term.  The group’s first meeting takes place in Washington, DC beginning August 5.

Weston believes that the teen years are a time for individuals to develop the skills to live a healthy, happy, and fulfilling life.  An unplanned pregnancy can disrupt that, and he is excited to work with an organization that works to raise awareness of teen pregnancy.  Weston enjoys running cross country and completed his first marathon in May.  He has volunteered for more than 500 hours with the Red Cross and is a Future Health Professionals State Officer.

Created in 1998, the YLT helps ensure that the views of teens are reflected in The National Campaign’s work and gives voice to teens’ unique perspectives by getting young people actively involved—both nationally and locally—in efforts to prevent teen pregnancy.  During their 18-month term, YLT members participate in a variety of activities that both promote teen pregnancy prevention and expand their own abilities.  Specifically, YLT members:

• serve as youth advisors and the primary teen voice for The National Campaign;
• plan projects in their own communities to raise awareness of the issue;
• visit Capitol Hill and meet with their Senators and Representatives to talk about teen pregnancy prevention; and
• participate in National Campaign activities, such as the popular National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.
   

In the past, YLT members have served as teen spokespeople on issues of sex and pregnancy prevention in such media outlets as NBC News, ABC News, CNN, The New York Times, USA Today, MTV, and The Washington Post; written articles for teen magazines and websites such as MTV.com; and contributed to popular National Campaign publications, such as Talking Back: What Teens Want Parent to Know About Teen Pregnancy.

Each YLT class is recruited from national, state, and local youth-serving organizations, such as various Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), Hispanas Organized for Political Equality, the Girl Scouts, the United Native Indian Tribal Youth Council, and others of similar caliber and reach.

To date, nearly 200 teens from more than 40 states and the District of Columbia have participated in eight YLT classes.  YLT members come from communities large and small, urban and rural, and from highly diverse backgrounds.

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy is a private, non-profit organization that seeks to improve the lives and future prospects of children and families. Our specific strategy is to prevent teen pregnancy and unplanned pregnancy among single, young adults. Please visit www.TheNationalCampaign.org and www.StayTeen.org for more information.