About AWARE

AWARE is the relationship education division of Life Options Pregnancy Medical Centers in the Lower Yakima Valley of WA state. We’re passionate about educating, equipping, and encouraging teens to think and plan for a healthy future.

We offer informative, interactive presentations for public & private schools as well as other youth organizations. We also facilitate after-school clubs at the middle school and high school level called Club 180.

Club 180 after-school clubs are positive peer support clubs designed to encourage and empower youth to avoid and abstain from risky behaviors. Our goal is to help middle school and high school students think and plan for a successful future by helping them recognize that the choices they are making now will determine what kind of person they will become and what kind of future they will have.

The club is structured to include an introductory activity or game, a character-building lesson/life skill, how to use the life skills discussed, and a snack. Ideally, clubs meet once a week for an hour after school. There are co-ed groups (both guys and girls) that can discuss most topics, or a group just for girls or guys that meets separately. We also have an incentive program using “Bonus Bucks” they receive when they attend to “purchase” fun items at parties we provide at the school or student center. We require all participants to have parent permission to be in the club (we provide parent permission slips for each student). Club leaders are Life Options volunteers and are screened through WATCH, the Washington State Patrol, and references are checked.

If you are interested in our presentations, grade level topics can be viewed at:

THE PRESENTATIONS
Generally, topics include:

  • Goal setting
  • Refusal skills and effective communication
  • Sexual assault and informed consent
  • Positive friendships
  • The difference between love and infatuation
  • Possible results of sexual activity (STDs, teen pregnancy)
  • The impact of sex & porn on the brain (high school only)
  • Effectiveness of contraception and abstinence as the healthiest choice
  • How to build healthy relationships

 

WHO WE ARE

Who Can Participate?

The program is designed for 5th grade through college-age students and may be implemented in schools, after-school programs, faith-based youth programs, parent/youth conference-style sessions, and other formats.

How is the Program Taught?

AWARE has a diverse range of highly effective staff educated and equipped to teach the curriculum in schools and programs. These educators utilize three levels of learning to teach students the what, why, and how of sexual abstinence:

  • Cognitive (what) — knowing and understanding the facts and risks
  • Affective (why) — impacting the student’s attitudes, beliefs, and values on an emotional level
  • Psychomotor (how) — learning the life skills necessary to implement what the student understands and believes, inspiring a lasting commitment to sexual integrity

THE PRESENTATIONS

 

How Does AWARE Align to standards?

AWARE instruction and materials are aligned with Washington state standards. All our presentations are medically and scientifically accurate, age appropriate, relevant to all students, and consistent with the Guidelines for Sexual Health and Disease Prevention (OSPI).

LEARN MORE

 

How is AWARE Unique?

AWARE is on the cutting edge of teen sexuality and health and is constantly being updated. The key to the success of our program is based on the outstanding curriculum, training, and enthusiasm of our speakers. The following comments were made by students participating in our program:

I thought it was really eye opening. I never realized some of the risks.9th grade female

It was one of the best presentations of my 9th grade year.9th grade male

I thought the AWARE presentation was very good. It was fun to listen to and entertaining. It gave me a lot of information and cleared up a lot of things for me.9th grade female.

I feel it’s necessary for high schoolers to hear this, especially in this state.9th grade female.

We have experienced very positive feedback from students and educators alike. We welcome their input and they are extremely supportive and complimentary of our programs and our volunteers who facilitate them.

 

How Much Does It Cost?

AWARE is supported solely by grants and donations, and there is no charge to schools and/or students for presentations, materials or club membership.

 

Teacher Resources

TAKE THE SURVEY DOWNLOADABLE FORMS

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