Peer Action Changing Tomorrow (PACT) is a 10-week YWCA teen leadership and education program that empowers teens to become resources and consultants to their peers about sexuality and health concerns.

The goal of PACT is to train teens, ages 14-18, as peer educators with the idea of infusing accurate information and resources directly into the peer network.

Developmental Assets impacted by PACT:

EMPOWERMENT
Each week, different speakers from community agencies share their expertise with participants, with emphasis on the ability that youth have to make a difference in the lives of their peers. Participants are encouraged to volunteer with local health clinics, street outreach programs, and other school and community based prevention programs.

Community values- Young person perceives that the adults in the community value their opinions as well as the opinions of other youth.
Youth as resources- Young person is given useful roles in the community.
Community service- Young person will serve the community one hour or more per week.

SUPPORT
PACT participants have the opportunity to connect with many different adults (speakers) with the constant presence of a facilitator who helps participants to make connections both within and outside of the program, according to their individual interests.

Adult role model/Other adult relationships- Young person receives support from 3 or more non-parents adults who model positive, responsible behavior.

BOUNDAIRES AND EXPECTATIONS
PACT participants are expected to participate in all 10 training activities and are challenged to put their training into use within the community. This empowered group-focused atmosphere allows participants to make friends with positive peers.

Positive peer influence- Young person’s best friends model responsible behavior.
High expectations- Young person is encouraged by adults to do well.

USE OF TIME
PACT provides participants with at least 1.5 hours of organized after-school time per week.

POSITIVE VALUES
PACT participants are recruited because of their desire or natural ability to help others. By giving participants the facts and opportunity to discuss teen health and sexuality concerns, PACT creates time and space for teens to clarify and express their own values.

Caring- Young person places high value on helping other people.
Equality and Social Justice- Young person places a high value on promoting equality and reducing hunger and poverty.
Responsibility- Young person accepts and takes personal responsibility
Restraint- Young person believes it is important not to be sexually active or use alcohol or other drugs.

SOCIAL COMPETENCIES
PACT Peer Educators receive training in effective listening skills, diversity, and referral resources. We strive to recruit a diverse group of teens for each training with anticipation that the group interaction will also serve as a source of learning.

Interpersonal competence – Young person has empathy, sensitivity, and friendship skills.
Cultural competence- Young person has knowledge of and comfort with people of different sexuality/ economic/ cultural/ racial/ ethnic backgrounds.

POSITIVE IDENTITY
Young person reports personal power, self-esteem, sense of purpose and positive view of personal future.

For more information, contact Megan Parnell, Youth Programs Coordinator, at 625-5785 ext 113 or meganp@ywcanh.org.