New Program Targets Teen Pregnancy

Funded by nearly $500,000 in state grant money, a new teen pregnancy prevention program run by Catholic Charities is preparing to serve its first clients in Van Nuys and Canoga Park.

The Healthy Choices Teen Pregnancy Prevention program is officially open, but won’t really be put to the test until young people start returning to school in September, said Margaret Pontius, community services coordinator for the San Fernando Region of Catholic Charities.

The program stresses abstinence and includes 10 weeks of classes and workshops covering topics such as sexuality, physical abuse, health issues and emotional and spiritual needs. Parents are encouraged to attend with their children.

“It’s difficult if you’re a teenager and you’re in high school and you have a baby. It’s hard to make a go of your life,” Pontius said. “We try to teach them responsibility. . . . It’s a big job. Wait until you have the tools that you need and then you can do a wonderful job.”

Earlier this year, Gov. Pete Wilson announced more than $25 million in grants to programs in the Southland counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino. Those awards are part of $53 million in Community Challenge Grants to be doled out statewide to programs that “improve and protect” the lives of children, state officials say.

Pontius said Canoga Park--particularly the 91303 ZIP Code--was identified along with Van Nuys as having an especially high teen pregnancy rate.

Another innovative element to the program, according to organizers, is input received from community, academic and religious leaders. The free program has enough funding to last for at least 2 1/2 years, organizers say.