Peer Education Program

Let’s face it, you didn’t learn everything you needed to know in sex ed. Yeah, you had questions, but you weren’t about to ask in front of the entire class. (That’s what the Internet and older brothers are for, right?) Wouldn’t health class have been a million times better if it were just you and your best friends, talking about everything you ever wanted to know?

Now YOU can be the one with the answers everyone is looking for!

Whether you like to text, talk, Myspace, or IM, put your communications capabilites to use as you teach others about healthy relationships, safe dating, body image, sexuality, and more … all while earning school credit or community service/volunteer hours!

What is a Peer Education Program?

We get that teens like to talk ... a lot. And we want them to keep talking. However, our goal is to break the cycle of misinformation — to dispel myths and clear up locker room rumors — by training teens to talk openly and honestly about things that really matter, like safe dating, body image, sexuality, healthy relationships, and more.

Our peer educators are young adults just like you, who live all over Orange and San Bernardino counties. They gain leadership skills while learning about sexual health and peer listening, and work in the community throughout the year helping to reduce teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. They also talk to friends and classmates about other stuff, like health, cultural awareness, stress management, and preparing for college.

Who makes a good peer educator?

You do! It doesn't matter where you live, who you hang with, what kind of clothes you wear, or the grades you get. You just need to be able to talk and listen, and be willing to learn how to talk and listen in new and better ways to help those around you. If you're friendly, outgoing, and interested in helping others, we'll help you do the rest.

Don't worry, we're not going to throw you out there and expect you to know what to do. Through ongoing training sessions, we'll teach you the best ways to talk to others, and answer questions that friends and classmates may ask.

There are some basic requirements, though. You should:

• Be between 14 and 18 years old
• Be a good communicator who is open to talking about sexual health and related issues (training on how to best engage peers on specific topics will be provided)
• Enjoy working with people and helping others
• Be reliable, responsible, and committed to sticking with the program for six months

Sounds interesting. What are the perks?

We don't expect you to do something for nothing. Aside from earning community service/volunteer hours, peer educators who attend the kick-off training session in Orange County on November 7 and 8 will be treated to a night at Dave & Buster's on us. Other incentives will be announced on a continuing basis.

I'm in. Now what?

Make the call. Call 714.633.6373, ext. 167, or e-mail talk@pposbc.org to find out about the next training session and how to get involved.

To schedule a class or presentation on this subject, click here.
To schedule an appointment, click here.