Adolescent Health and Sexuality Programs offer school-based and community-based comprehensive and holistic health and sexuality programs for girls, ages 8 - 18. Special attention is given to reproductive health, healthy risk-taking, decision-making, diversity, assertiveness and effective communication, and healthy relationships.

An effort is made to empower girls to build their resilience and wellness in the context of their families and communities. Girls engage in exploration of gender equity, social justice, and future aspirations for their own lives.

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HEART ("Helping Everyone Achieve Respect Together") is a Peer Education program (with stipend) that empowers high school girls to become community health activists and informed resources for their peers. HEART represents a unique model of peer education based on informal teen social support networks.

After an intensive training in late-summer and a school-year program, Peer Educators will have completed documented "contacts" with over 700 peers on issues of sexually transmitted infections/diseases, birth control and pregnancy, abusive relationships, substance abuse, depression, and conflict at home, among other issues.

HEART includes a second-year Mentor opportunity for peer educators to assume greater leadership and develop another dimension of peer education and community action skills. Third-year girls are Interns who develop their leadership skills by assisting Girls Inc. staff on special projects and programs.

For more information, contact the Program Coordinator Alexis Wielunski at (510) 357-5515 ext. 218.