Teen workshop to focus on abstinence

BY MARY WICOFF
Commercial-News

DANVILLE June 09, 2008 07:06 am

— Through her work with young people, Jan Dantzler hears a lot of issues being raised — especially those dealing with relationships and sex.
Dantzler, a minister at New Kingdom Christian Church, came up with the idea to hold a Youth in Action workshop for all young adults who have similar concerns and who need some direction in their lives.
The workshop — in conjunction with the Provena Covenant Medical Center Health Ministry — will start at 1 p.m. June 21 and go as long as needed at Danville Area Community College Bremer Center. It’s aimed at youth in middle school and up.
Pre-registration is requested so the correct number of door prizes, food and other items may be bought.
A 35-40-minute video called “Love, Sex and Relationships,” will be shown. There will be booths with information, counselors and social workers on hand to answer questions, refreshments and door prizes. Workshops will be offered on keeping Christ first, maintaining abstinence and remaining focused as young adults.
“It’s easy to see young people (simply) as teens,” Dantzler said. But they’re also young parents and students just out of high school who aren’t prepared for life.
Some have made mistakes, but that’s no reason to give up, she said.
“We realize a lot of young people think it’s the end of the road. But whatever mistake they made, we want them not to give up on themselves when others have given up on them,” she said.
“There’s a way to redeem themselves.”
Her message to young people is: “It’s not what you’ve done; it’s what you do after that.”
Aaron Forman, a member of the church, said such a forum comes in the nick of time. Vermilion County is struggling with high numbers of teen pregnancies and young people with sexually transmitted diseases, he said.
These issues are discussed in youth groups at New Kingdom, but they need to be discussed at home, too.
Dantzler added, “We want to reach out to parents — educate them so they can educate the kids.”
Although her church is one of the sponsors, Dantzler said, “It’s not about religion, it’s about education.”
Forman said the workshops will be based on Biblical teachings, while Dantzler added, “It all begins with spirituality.”
Dantzler works with the health ministry at Provena in Urbana, and that’s how the medical center’s foundation became involved.
Provena’s Health Ministry provides a variety of services with the overall goal of improving the physical, emotional and spiritual conditions of people served by the center.
Jenny Brackenhoff, health ministry coordinator, serves as the liaison between faith-based organizations and Provena. She will attend the June 21 workshop as a Provena representative.
The office is always looking for ways to reach out to the community, she said. This is the first time such a workshop will be presented in Danville.
The workshop will focus on abstinence and making good decisions, she added.
“I think it will go well because of Jan’s efforts,” Brackenhoff said.
FYI
--Youth in Action workshop at 1 p.m. June 21 at the Danville Area Community College Bremer Conference Center. Pre-registration is requested. For more information or to register, call 446-6532.
--Donations are being sought to help buy beverages, paper goods and complimentary items to give to the young adults as tokens. Also, people interested in speaking or hosting a booth are needed. To help, call 446-6532 or 442-7618.