Making a Difference One Life at a Time

Choosing to Excel (C2E) is a regional and community-based multifaceted healthy choice organization dedicated to impacting lives and making a positive difference one life at a time.  The mission and goal is to educate and encourage youth who are making healthy choices, to provide tools for change for youth and families, while advocating on behalf of those who want a "fresh start" one life at a time.  Impact and growth is accomplished through mentoring, peer-to-peer support and community involvement.  Our core components include the following: 

Building strength for life through learning life skills.

Developing strong relationships through mentoring.

Giving back through community service.

Understanding and doing the "right" thing.

Learning interpersonal skills.

Developing an entrepreneurial spirit.

 One of C2E's largests facets is the Mentoring Program.  We believe that a mentoring relationship can lead to such positive outcomes as fewer trips to the principal's office, reduced juvenile recidivism, better attendance at school, overall improvement in behavior and parental relationships, more positive attitude, improvements in grades, and a happier youth!  In return this relationship can even have positive outcomes for the mentor!  A growing sense of self-worth and community involvement are just a few examples.  If you're interested in learning more about our mentoring program please visit our mentoring site by clicking the "Mentor" tab.

Like Mother...Like Father...Mentors Matter!

HHS ANNOUNCES ABSTINENCE EDUCATION FUNDING FOR STATES

*Quoted from NAEA website link: http://www.abstinenceassociation.org/newsroom/HHS_announces.html

Washington, DC (August 2, 2010) - The National Abstinence Education Association (NAEA) is pleased to announce the release of federal funding by the United States Department Health and Human Services (HHS) under the Title V State Abstinence Education Grant Program. According to the funding announcement ,“The purpose of this program is to support decisions to abstain from sexual activity until marriage by providing abstinence education as defined by Section 510(b)(2) of the Social Security Act with a focus on those groups that are most likely to bear children out-of-wedlock.” (HHS-2010-ACF-ACYF-AEGP-0123).

“The bipartisan vote among members of Congress that provided for the continuation of this funding, demonstrates an understanding of the common sense approach that Abstinence Education provides and that a majority of Americans support”, said Valerie Huber, Executive Director of NAEA.

Originally begun under the Clinton Administration, Title V abstinence funding was recently extended under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. This funding is provided to states yearly until 2014. The program will be implemented through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), which is currently accepting applications from States and Territories.

According to Huber, “We hope to see many effective abstinence programs funded under the Title V grant program. To combat the complex problem of teen sexual activity, we need an ‘all hands on deck’ attitude that does not censor any approach; indeed there is enough problem to go around and our young people deserve every effort to promote their health and well- being”.

The entire Funding Announcement may be accessed here.

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About NAEA: The National Abstinence Education Association (NAEA) is comprised of leading abstinence educators and supporters who represent 2 million children across the U.S.
For more information: http://www.theNAEA.org or www.AbstinenceWorks.org

To schedule an interview with NAEA Executive Director Valerie Huber, please contact Lara Bailey at 214-460-4331.

Congratulations Mollie Parker!

Congratulations are in order for Mollie Parker!  The 17 year old high school senior was crowned Miss Teen Arkansas International this summer!  Since inception, C2E has been a platform for countless pageant participants and 7 crown holders who have the message of abstinence as a top priority.  Molly is no expection as she travels the state with her message of purity,"Stand Up & Stand Out."   Congratulations Mollie!  We look forward to hearing more from you on this incredibly important topic during your reign!  If you'd like to hear more about Mollie, her journey to the crown, and her fight for the purity message, please click her image Below.

Miss Teen Arkansas International