My son Sid was born when I was just 16 years old. Not that I would trade him for anything in the world, I just wish he had been gifted to me a little later in life. The community I now live in has a high teen pregnancy rate and with 3 teens in my family, encouraging abstinence is something I am very passionate about. No wonder I immediately gravitated toward Arline Saiki, my Women Who Shine nominee.
Arline is a Certified Abstinence Educator and Director of AEC – I Decide, a ministry whose mission is to reduce high risk behaviors and encourage abstinence before marriage. As an Abstinence Educator, Arline teaches teens about good character, life skills, goal-setting, and to make healthy choices for themselves.
“According to the Center for the 4th and 5th Rs (Respect and Responsibility), 10 out of 11 studies have found that character education increases the likelihood of abstinence until marriage by 90%.”
Her organization also offers programs on character to younger kids (from age 8) with the aim of reducing all high risk behaviors from smoking, drugs, alcohol, bullying, and promiscuity to eating disorders; as well as to mothers, including single moms. The AEC faces many challenges: lack of funding; lack of sufficient volunteers; antagonism from certain areas of the community, and apathy among many of the parents. They have also had many great successes. The Yahoo! Shine $10,000 prize would tremendously aid Arline and her organization in reaching more at risk youths.
Arline is a wife and mother of two girls. She has worked with kids in both the music ministry and Girl Scouts. Arline is also active in her church, and has been teaching religious ed for many years. She has been director of the AEC – I Decide ministry since 2005.
Women Who Shine
Yahoo! Shine wants to celebrate women who are blazing new trails, making a difference, and doing extraordinary things. Help give these inspiring women the recognition they deserve by nominating them for Women Who Shine. The woman who receives the most votes by the end of the program will win a $10,000 cash prize. If you know a woman who sines feel free to nominate her.
Please Vote
I am truly inspired by Arline Saiki and the work that she does. I hope that you are too! I would really appreciate if you could take just a moment to vote for her. Who’s inspired you lately?
Disclosure: I was compensated for this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own. To read more posts on this topic, click here.
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Twitter: marriedcoupons
says:
What a wonderful program and thanks for sharing a bit of your personal story and for highlighting this great woman! I just put my vote in
Dawn Lopez recently posted..The Ultimate Yogi Review
Twitter: MMGMOM3
says:
I am glad there are people like her to teach our children the importance of abstinating.
Melissa recently posted..Read Anything Interesting Lately??
Twitter: momsandmunchkin
says:
Sounds like a great program!
Cheryl recently posted..Breast Cancer Fundraising Ideas
Twitter: sweeptight
says:
This is great. On my way to vote now!
Jennifer recently posted..The Lucky One Movie Review
Twitter: JadeLDesigns
says:
What an amazing woman, and her organization is quite amazing as well! She definitely shines and deserves your support!
Amber Edwards–JadeLouise Designs recently posted..Support Literacy #NickCFK Book Drive Donation #Cbias
Twitter: thenewclassy
says:
Kids are learning so much about “safe sex” these days, it is great that someone is also teaching them about abstinence.
Dawn
http://www.cheapisthenewclassy.com
Dawn recently posted..Copying Your Idol’s Fashion: Not Always a Good Idea #fashionfriday
What a wonderful woman and so deserving to win! Thanks for sharing her with me!
Jeannette recently posted..Easy DIY Craft: Etched Glass Votive Centerpiece
What a fabulous thing to join in on!! Love stuff like this!
Kelsey Apley recently posted..Mommy Bliss Gripe Water Works Wonders For My Girls
education is the key-educate,educate. parents need to be educated to,on how to talk to their children. i too had a baby at 17-hes now 30.my parents never talked to me on the subject.so in turn i had a hard time talking to my children.my now 22 year old had a baby at 17 as well.ive learned alot since and have learned to talk to my children(it’s nevr too late) my youngest daughter is 18 and has not abstained from sex until last year. her and her college boyfriend have decided to abstain.the want to finish thier schooling and start carrers first. get their life in order.im happy to say i can talk to my children now and boyfriend on the matter. keep talking parents and talk to the boyfriends.its all good
You are so right! Thanks for sharing your story with us.
Twitter: mrstakenomess
says:
She sounds like a wonderful woman!!!
Katherine G recently posted..Disrespectful Kids
Arline Saiki is a very dedicated educator to help young people find the truth for a productive and successful life.
Arline Saiki is a committed sincere leader who has dedicated much of her time and talents to a great cause of helping young people make good choices they can live with.
Carol Ann Thomas recently posted..SHARE PLANE