“RALLY FOR ABSTINENCE” TO BE HELD FRIDAY MAY 16, 2008

Milwaukee parents and teens come together to celebrate National Month to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

WHO: Up to 100 Milwaukee youths, parents and community members will rally together at the 22nd Annual Rally for Abstinence hosted by Rosalie Manor Community & Family Services.

WHAT: This lively event promises entertainment, live music, motivational speakers and a free picnic. Motivational speaker and Milwaukee native, De’Shawn Ewing, is the keynote speaker.

WHEN: May 16, 2008 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

11:30 a.m. March participants will assemble in Rosalie Manor parking lot (registered participants will receive water bottles, t-shirts, lunch tickets, and picket signs)

12:00 p.m. Welcome

12:10 p.m. March procession east on Burleigh Street to Sherman Park

12:35 p.m. Assemble in park

12:40 p.m. Keynote speaker, De’Shawn Ewing

1:00 p.m. Free lunch picnic

1:20 p.m. School participant performances/Live entertainment (positive rap performance and poetry)

2:00 p.m. Games and outdoor activities

4:30 p.m. Closing message

4:45 p.m. Departure

WHERE: Gathering at Rosalie Manor, 4803 W. Burleigh Street, marching to Milwaukee’s Sherman Park, 3000 N Sherman Blvd, for rally and free lunch picnic.

WHY: The event’s goal is to raise awareness and send a message to the community that more and more youth - 6 out of 10 teens - are now choosing the abstinent lifestyle and are making positive choices in the face of increasingly confusing messages in the media and entertainment world about sexuality. Organizers will spend the day educating youth on the importance of abstinence from risky behaviors including sexual activity outside of marriage, violence, and alcohol and drug abuse. The “Rally for Abstinence” coincides with National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month and the 22th anniversary of Rosalie Manor’s Families United to Prevent Teen Pregnancy program.

CONTACT: For more information, please contact Dawn Groshek, Rosalie Manor, at 414-449-2868, ext.202.

FLYER: Support Milwaukee’s youth who are making positive choices. A printable event flyer is available at www.acryingshame.info/media.2008Abst.pdf.

RAIN SITE: Mary Ryan Boys & Girls Club (located within Sherman Park).

# # #

About Rosalie Manor: Part of the Milwaukee community for 100 years, Rosalie Manor Community & Family Services is a nonprofit organization that works to reduce the incidence of child abuse and teen pregnancy. For more information about the “A Crying Shame” abstinence campaign or other Rosalie Manor programs, please contact Dawn Groshek at 414-449-2868, x 202 or via email at d.groshek@rmcfs.org, or visit the abstinence website at www.acryingshame.info.

Photos & Captions: Click on the image to download these historical
Rally images.

	Rally 1: “Rally for Abstinence Celebrates 22 Years” Each year about 100 teens participate in the annual march to promote abstinence from sexual activity, gangs, drugs and alcohol. (Circa late 1980s)
	Rally2: “Just Say No to Teen Pregnancy” During the first Rally for Abstinence, teens created and carried signs (like this one) and banners. Today, marching teens and parents adorn professionally designed signage, banners and t-shirts. (Circa late 1980s)