GUYS

When the Guys Understanding Youth Sexuality (GUYS) program was first conceived in 2005, Franklin County had the fifth highest pregnancy rate in Illinois. GUYS was launched as an abstinence-based male involvement program aimed at reducing teen pregnancies as its primary goal.  The program is entirely developmental asset focused and relies upon a combination of classroom education and relationship-oriented small groups. The program typically starts in junior high and core groups are developed that are intended to stick together to grow and support these boys through high school.

Popular culture often saturates our kids with unhealthy messages about sexuality.  Through asset growth, the boys in GUYS are challenged to examine their stereotypes about relationships and their attitudes towards women.  Concepts like honesty, respect, chivalry, and honor are core to the GUYS program.  Their group leader, Kristoffer Taylor, also supports the boys outside of school by playing games, attending special events, and getting to know their parents.

The outcomes are encouraging.  As the small groups stay together over time and develop a bond with their group leader, The H Group has noticed significant pre to post test improvement in key areas. After three years of programming, the largest growth in small group participants was noted in the areas of:

• Relationship Equality
  
• Ability to Resist Sexual Impulses
  
• Stigma and STD Awareness

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.