For Immediate Release:
February 9, 2012

Southcoast Hospitals' RAPPP program to host week of free youth open houses

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — The Southcoast Hospitals' Responsible Attitudes toward Pregnancy, Parenting & Prevention (RAPPP) Program is hosting a week of Youth Open Houses at its office at 1208 Ashley Boulevard. The open houses will take place from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. each weekday during the week of February 13. All youth ages 13 to 19 are welcome to attend.

The Open Houses will feature a different theme each day:

• Monday, February 13, is "Movie Monday" and will include a movie, popcorn and candy.

• Tuesday, February 14, is "Teamwork Tuesday" and will provide an opportunity for youth to complete their homework and study. Tuesday is also National Condom Day and RAPPP will provide education on correct condom use, sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy protection.

• Wednesday, February 15, is "Friendsday Wednesday" during which youth can play games such as Scene It, Twister, Connect Four and Xbox Kinect.

• Thursday, February 16, is "Sing and Dance Day" featuring Karaoke Revolution: Glee and Dance Central.

• Friday, February 17, is "Free for All Friday" during which youth are encouraged to bring friends and chose their own activities.

Snacks will be provided each day and all attendees will be entered into the RAPPP Open House raffle with a chance to win prizes, including gift cards, a Flip camera and other fun items.

To wrap up the week, a Mardi Gras dance will take place on Friday, February 17, from 7 to 10 p.m. featuring music, fun and food. Attendees are required to bring two nonperishable food items for admission to benefit Mercy, Meals and More of New Bedford. Pre-registration is required as space is limited to 50 attendees. To pre-register, stop by the RAPPP office with two canned goods. Deadline to pre-register is Wednesday, February 15.

For more information regarding the Youth Open Houses, please contact the RAPPP Program Office at 508-995-0306.

About RAPPP

The RAPPP Program is an adolescent pregnancy prevention program designed to be used within the curriculum of the health or science department of high and junior high school systems. RAPPP also impacts adolescents and young adults in the community through a number of outreach programs.

RAPPP has reached more than 47,500 teens and parents since its inception, including more than 27,000 teens through its in-school programs at area senior and junior high schools. Southcoast Hospitals Group — and specifically the Family Education Department at St. Luke's Hospital — developed, sponsors and administers the RAPPP Program in conjunction with school faculty and administration. All materials, models, staff support and training are free of charge to participating schools.

Learn more about RAPPP at www.southcoast.org/rappp/.