Louisiana: Local Activist Helping Teens Avoid Pregnancy

At New Orleans' O. Perry Walker High School, students spent time in early May -- National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month -- with Nakia Jones, an educator who represents Nikki's Foundation and Project WISE (Wisdom, Integrity, Strength, and Excellence).

Jones provided students with informational pamphlets about STDs, abstinence, and decision-making skills. She also allowed students to test their knowledge with a quiz provided by the National Campaign for Teen Pregnancy Prevention.

"You have a lot of youth that sometimes think they know everything about health and themselves, and they don't," said Jones, "so I think it's important that they are aware and have the information and knowledge so that if something came up, they'll know how to deal with that particular situation."

Jones has also brought Project WISE to William J. Fischer and Harriet Tubman elementary schools, gearing her presentation toward younger audiences. "When people hear the words teen pregnancy prevention, they think it's just about sex, and it's not," said Jones. Good communication skills can allow students to make responsible decisions later, she said.

Jones launched Nikki's Foundation in 2003 to provide youths with computer technology training and summer enrichment opportunities. It offers community health fairs with Project WISE, with a focus on diabetes and hypertension.

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