EDISON, NJ – Planned Parenthood of Northern, Central, and Southern New Jersey (PPNCSNJ) hosted its annual Teen Conference on May 15 and 16, 2018. At the conference’s two locations, at Rowan University and in Edison, nearly 1,000 teens, teachers, and chaperones from across the state participated in the teen-led event, which promotes teen health, leadership, empowerment, and access to community resources through day-long events for high school students. During dynamic and interactive workshop sessions, students from schools across New Jersey engaged in discussions on a variety of topics, including sexual health, advocacy, gender identity, making healthy choices, substance abuse prevention, media literacy, communication, and healthy relationships.

“During the Teen Conference, young people came together and grappled with pressing social and sexual health issues,” said Triste Brooks, president and CEO of PPNCSNJ. “Teens participated in workshops where they got valuable information and also had the opportunity to talk about how they will #CreateChange in their communities.”

The conference program was marked by innovative and creative approaches to taking action and sharing information, including Playground Theater Project’s “Lady Parts,” a peer-to-peer presentation that explored the complex, unique, and sometimes difficult relationships of young people. Teen Conference participants also collaborated on the “Wall of Hope,” where participants wrote inspiring messages in support of LGBTQ+ youth who might be struggling. Throughout the day, participants also attended their choice out of more than 20 breakout workshops; some of these workshops were peer-led and designed by teens themselves, while others were led by representatives from community partners in order to share information about local resources. Attendees were guided through the conference by Teen Ambassadors, young people who have attended at least one conference and are involved in the planning and presentation of the conference each year.

“The Teen Conference is an key example of ways we can support young people and help them access the resources they need to make healthy decisions and lead healthy lives,” said Triste Brooks. “We are proud to provide these important educational resources at Planned Parenthood.”

Planned Parenthood encourages teens to get active in their own communities and to get the information and care they need to protect their sexual health. For more information, teens can contact education@ppgnnj.org or call 732-530-7916 x 244.