Where is Positive Choices located?
We are on the third floor of the Mercy Professional Building at 2200 Jefferson Avenue right here in Toledo, Ohio.

Can Positive Choices take part in our health fair, community event or agency?
We take part in many health fairs and community events, but since there is a high demand for our service call us to make sure we are free. We can be reached at (419) 251-2304.

Do you have any openings for my child to attend?
We would love to have your teen participate in Positive Choices. The first step is calling us at (419) 251-2304.

How old does a person have to be to attend Positive Choices classes?
We welcome both boys and girls from 12-18 years of age. Our programs focus on youth and teenagers grouped into two different age categories; ages 12-14, and ages 15-18.

How many hours long is a group session? How many week sessions? How many days?
Sessions generally meet for two hours once a week for twelve weeks in the fall and spring and twice a week for six weeks during the summer.

Can Positive Choices facilitate at our school or community center or agency?
Positive Choices does programs at schools, community centers, churches, and various agencies. We have programs for different audiences and can do programs for teens, parents, caregivers or educators. Please call us at (419) 251-2304 to set up a time to meet and discuss which program is right for you.

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What is abstinence?
Abstinence is choosing not to do something that may be harmful to you. This can include abstaining from alcohol, drugs or sex. Sexual abstinence is not having sex. Positive Choices encourages sexual abstinence until marriage including all forms of sexual activity.

Does abstinence really work?
Yes. Abstaining from sex is making the decision to wait until marriage to become sexually active. If you don’t have sex, you can’t get pregnant or an STD; abstinence is the only 100% effective way of not getting pregnant or getting an STD.

What if I’ve already been sexually active - is it too late for me?
It is never too late. Even if one has been sexually active in the past, today is a new day and the goals that one sets for their life may be adjusted at anytime to enhance positive outcomes.

If I kiss somebody with AIDS will I get it too?
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) says that kissing creates a very low-risk of transmission of HIV/AIDS. They say casual kisses (such as on the cheek) are completely safe, but the CDC does recommend against open-mouth kissing for an extended period of time with an infected partner because of the slight chance that a sore or tear occurs in the mouth of the non-infected person.

What's the best way to be safe from sexually transmitted diseases?
The only 100% sure way to be safe is to practice sexual abstinence. By not having sex, you are choosing not to expose yourself to the possibility of getting an STD.

What are the main ways to contract an STD or HIV/AIDS?
The ways that someone can contract an STD, including HIV/AIDS, are:

• through exposure to infected bodily fluids including blood, semen, or vaginal and

  cervical secretions (sexual contact)

• exposure to infected blood or blood products (sharing needles)
• from mother to fetus or mother to child through breast-feeding

Remember, people who are sexually active and have multiple sexual partners are more likely to be exposed to and contract an STD which includes HIV/AIDS.

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Teens, Looking For More Answers? (click here)

What is the difference between love and infatuation?
The difference between love and infatuation is generally accepted as follows:

• Infatuation is a short term attraction to another person because of physical appearances, such as a warm smile or the shape of one's body. It involves no intention of a long lasting relationship or caring for the other individual, but is mainly interested
in self-gratification and sexual desires.
• Love is a caring relationship, usually developed over a longer period of time, where the couple can see past the physical relationship to the deeper, more meaningful relationship involving the care for and need for a spiritual relationship with an individual whose main focus is the well being of the person they love.

How can I set boundaries with my partner?
Make sure you let your partner know your thoughts and feelings about what is right for you to share physically with them. Having an agreed “stopping” point will help keep things from going too far. Also remember that there are many more ways than sex to show your partner how you feel about them

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Is it a realistic expectation that teens will wait until marriage to become sexually active?
Yes, the number of sexually active teens has decreased over the past few years due, in part, to organizations such as Positive Choices which provide information and skills to help teens remain abstinent. Through such organizations teens are able to understand that they possess the power and tools necessary to remain abstinent and develop peer support to assist them in making healthy decisions.

Parents, Looking For More Answers? (click here)

At what age does a girl begin puberty?
On average, girls start puberty between the ages of 9-16. Puberty is a time of change when a girl begins to become a woman who will be capable of reproduction. During this time girls begin to menstruate, grow larger breasts, their hips widen and their waists narrow. Aside from the physical changes, being a woman means respecting yourself and others enough to take responsibility for your actions, make decisions that aren’t always easy and stand up for what you believe in.

At what age does a boy begin puberty?
Boys begin puberty later than girls usually. The average male will start puberty around the ages of 13 – 15. Some signs of puberty in males are a cracking and then deepening of voice, a growth spurt, as well as involuntary erections. Puberty is the period when a boy begins to become a man, but becoming a man is about a lot more than physical changes. Being a man means taking responsibility and making decisions that aren’t always easy; a man stands up for what he believes and respects himself as well as those around him.

When did sex become so important for a teenager?
The media in our society, including music, television, radio, movies, clothing, books and magazines, stresses sex and sex appeal to their audience. Throughout the 20th century, America became more lenient towards sexual references, and now sex has become overwhelmingly accepted, stressed, and, in a frightening fashion, expected.

How do I help my child set boundaries?
Having an open relationship with your teen where they know your expectations of them is the first step to helping set boundaries. If they know where you stand and what you expect from them they already have an idea of good boundaries to set. Allowing your child to have independence while still having adult supervision lets your teen make decisions on their own in the comfort of a safe environment. Other things you can do to help your teen include:

• helping your teen avoid situations where things might get out of control .
• making sure your teen feels like they can talk to you and ask questions.
• emphasizing the importance of remaining abstinent until marriage.
• the impact that alcohol and drugs have on ability to make good decisions.

How can I reach my teenager? I can’t even talk to him/her!
This is perhaps the biggest difficulty that parents face today. The secret seems to be patience and remembering to be a parent and not a friend. Let your teen know just how much you value a relationship with them and have your focus on understanding one another’s views, ideas and values. You may never agree on certain topics, but understanding why each of you sees things the way you do goes a long way towards building an open and respectful relationship. Another great resource for parents that we recommend is The Big Talk Book by Bruce Cook.

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