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ProjecTruth’s Creativity Contest Winners Awarded

BUFFALO, N.Y., April 16, 2010 – ProjecTruth of Catholic Charities honored 20 local middle and high school winners of its seventh annual Abstinence Until Marriage Creativity Contest: “Waiting is Easier because…” at an Awards Reception Friday afternoon in The Fairdale Banquet Center in Williamsville. The contest encourages students in seventh to 12th grades to creatively express their understanding of the benefits of remaining sexually abstinent until marriage and/or the consequences of high-risk behavior through art, essays, poems and/or music.

The winners are: 

Representing nine schools and three counties, the honorees were joined at the reception by parents, family, teachers, school administrators, and the staff of ProjecTruth and Catholic Charities.

Judith Vogtli, PhD, program director for ProjecTruth, praised the youth for their work.

“Year after year, the talent and quality of expression of our Western New York students amaze me,” said Dr. Vogtli. “In addition, the students’ ability to understand and embrace the message of abstinence and other healthy behaviors is so gratifying. It is a privilege to recognize these students!”

“Again this year we have included the Director’s Choice award to showcase entries with exceptional insight and attention to detail,” she added.

A total of 518 entries were received.

Dennis Walczyk, chief executive officer of Catholic Charities, also welcomed the youth and congratulated the students.

“It’s terrific to so many talented and bright young people here, the creators of such engaging prose and art,” said Walczyk. “Each year, we look forward to recognizing our winners, as well as their teachers and parents for all of their efforts in inspiring the work they create.”

First and second prizes were awarded for each category in two divisions, seventh and eighth grades and ninth through 12th grades. Prizes for Director’s Choice awards were given to high school students in the essay and poster categories. First place winners in each grade category and entry format received a digital video camcorder, and second place and director’s choice winners received a digital MP4 audio player. First place poster contest winners also received a framed copy of their poster, and the winners’ posters, essays, poems and/or song lyrics have been reproduced for distribution to area schools and organizations and will be published on the ProjecTruth web site, www.projectruth.com.

Mt. St. Mary Academy in Kenmore, which submitted 141 entries, and Holy Angels Academy in Buffalo, with 106 entries, took the prizes for the schools with the greatest number of student entries, including a portable DVD player.

ProjecTruth has reached more than 70,000 teens in more than 120 schools and community sites across Western New York with its character-based abstinence-only until marriage approach to reducing the social, physical and emotional problems associated with sexual activity among adolescents. For more information, go to projectruth.com.

Catholic Charities is the most comprehensive human service provider serving all eight counties of Western New York, with 70 programs and 61 locations. Founded in 1923, Catholic Charities also provides, without regard to religious affiliation, comprehensive counseling services for children and families, anti-domestic violence programming and emergency services, among other social and mental health services.

Award-Winning Speaker Keith Deltano Shares a Positive Message with Area Students

BUFFALO, N.Y, March 31, 2010. – Nationally-recognized public speaker Keith Deltano spoke to 1,911 Cattaraugus, Chautauqua and Wyoming County middle and high school students this week to teach them to take a stand for what is right.
    
Deltano used comedy and high-energy theatrics to speak to middle school students in Perry and at St. Joseph School in Gowanda about fighting prejudice and bullying; and high school students in Pioneer, Falconer and Attica about risk avoidance and healthy relationships.

The events were sponsored by Catholic Charities’ ProjecTruth abstinence education program.

Judith Vogtli, PhD, Program Director for ProjecTruth, explained why it is so important to bring speakers like Deltano to Western New York.

“We owe it to our youth to provide them a foundation on which they can build the skills they need to make physically and emotionally healthy decisions about lifestyles and relationships,” said Judith Vogtli, Ph.D., program director for ProjecTruth. “Abstinence until marriage is the only 100 percent effective way to avoid unintended pregnancy and STDs.”

ProjecTruth has reached more than 70,000 teens in more than 120 schools and community sites across Western New York with its character-based abstinence-only until marriage approach to reducing the social, physical and emotional problems associated with sexual activity among adolescents. For more information, go to projectruth.com.

Catholic Charities is the most comprehensive human service provider serving all eight counties of Western New York, with 70 programs and 61 locations. Founded in 1923, Catholic Charities also provides, without regard to religious affiliation, comprehensive counseling services for children and families, anti-domestic violence programming and emergency services, among other social and mental health services.

Abstinence programs get nod from study but still set to lose funding

By Carol Zimmermann - Catholic News Service

Friday, 05 February 2010

Elizabeth Andrew and Nolan Reynolds lead a presentation on abstinence and the theology of the body during a Catholic youth fest at St. Anthony's High School in South Huntington, N.Y., in this 2007 file photo - CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz, Long Island Catholic A new study about the effectiveness of abstinence education is good news for those who teach the topic, but it also could be too little, too late. Abstinence educators welcomed the study published Feb. 1 in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, a monthly journal. The study showed that young teens who were given an abstinence-only message were significantly more likely to delay having sex than those who received a more comprehensive sex education. The research has been getting attention because it is said to be the first rigorously conducted study demonstrating the effectiveness of an abstinence-only program. It was released just a week after the Guttmacher Institute published a study showing that America's teen pregnancy rate rose 3 percent in 2006 after a 10-year decline. Click here to read the rest of the story on thecatholicspirit.com.

Seventh Annual Creativity Contest Sponsored by ProjecTruth for Western New York Students; Entries Due Feb. 17

BUFFALO, NY, Jan. 14, 2010 – ProjecTruth of Catholic Charities puts out the call to young artists, writers and vocalist for entries in its seventh annual Abstinence Until Marriage Creativity Contest: “Waiting is Easier because…”.  Students in seventh to 12th grades are eligible to enter and deadline for the contest is Feb. 17, 2009.

The contest encourages students to creatively express their understanding of the benefits of remaining sexually abstinent until marriage and/or the consequences of high-risk behavior through art, essays, poems and/or music.

First and second prizes will be awarded in each category in both divisions: 7th & 8th grades and 9th through 12th grades.

The winners’ posters, essays, poems and/or song lyrics will be reproduced for distribution to area schools and organizations and will also be published on the ProjecTruth Web site, www.projectruth.com.

Winners will be announced in early April and will be invited to receive their awards at a special reception later that month.

While the contest is open to the community, special prizes will be awarded to the school with the greatest number of entries from students, including ProjecTruth’s “LifeSongs: Make the Right Choice” curriculum, including Scoreboard student workbook, and music CD/DVD.

Maximum poster size is 18” x 24”.  Essays and poems must be 100 words or less.  Songs lyrics must be written and sung and included on a cassette or CD.  No slang, vulgarities, or sexually explicit images may be used.  

Winners will be judged on the best representation of the abstinence until marriage theme and artistic consideration as portrayed in a positive light.

For additional contest rules and information, call ProjecTruth at (716) 332-3910 or visit the News and Events pages at www.ProjecTruth.com or www.ccwny.org.

Entries must be submitted by Feb. 17, 2009 to ProjecTruth, 3982 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14226-3411.

ProjecTruth has reached more than 50,000 teens in schools and community sites across Western New York with its character-based abstinence-only approach to reducing the social, physical, and emotional problems associated with sexual activity among adolescents.  

Catholic Charities is the most comprehensive direct human service provider in Western New York, serving all eight counties with 61 locations without regard to age, race or religious affiliation. Established in 1923, Catholic Charities also provides comprehensive counseling, services for children and families, anti-domestic violence programming, emergency assistance, and education and job training, among other social services.

Additional information:

• Contest Rules
• Contest Cover Letter
  

ProjecTruth’s Creativity Contest Winners Awarded

BUFFALO, N.Y., April 27, 2008 – ProjecTruth of Catholic Charities honored the local middle and high school winners of its sixth annual Abstinence Until Marriage Creativity Contest: “Waiting is Easier because…” at an Awards Reception Friday afternoon in The Fairdale Banquet Center in Williamsville. The contest encourages students in seventh to 12th grades to creatively express their understanding of the benefits of remaining sexually abstinent until marriage and/or the consequences of high-risk behavior through art, essays, poems and/or music.

The winners are: 

The honorees were joined at the reception by parents, family, teachers, school administrators, and the staff of ProjecTruth and Catholic Charities.

Judith Vogtli, PhD, Program Director for ProjecTruth, praised the youth for their work. “It is always such a challenge to pick just a few winners from all of the fantastic entries – the quality and creativity shows talent that the youth of Western New York possess, and that they understand and are committed to abstinence and good life choices.”

“Because of the highly competitive nature of this year's entries, we added a Director's Choice award to showcase entries with exceptional insight and attention to detail,” she added.

A total 314 entries were received. 

Dennis Walczyk, Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Charities, also welcomed the youth and congratulated the students.

“Congratulations to all of the contest winners and entrants for your inspired works, and thank you to their parents and relatives for your support and guidance. All of the entries not only displayed creativity but also combined talent with an understanding of abstinence,” he said.

First and second prizes were awarded for each category in two divisions, seventh and eighth grades and ninth through 12th grades. Prizes for two Director’s Choice awards were given to high school students in the essay and poster categories. First place winners in each grade category and entry format received a digital video camcorder and second place and director’s choice winners received a digital MP4 audio player. First place poster contest winners also received a framed copy of their poster, and the winners’ posters, essays, poems and/or song lyrics have been reproduced for distribution to area schools and organizations and will be published on the ProjecTruth web site, www.projectruth.com.

Mt. St. Mary Academy in Kenmore submitted 172 entries and took the prizes for the school with the greatest number of entries from students, including a $100 gift certificate to OfficeMax for art/school supplies, a framed reproduction of the winning poster and ProjecTruth’s “LifeSongs: Make the Right Choice” curriculum, including Scoreboard, CD and DVD.

ProjecTruth has reached more than 50,000 teens in more than 120 schools and community sites across Western New York with its character-based abstinence-only until marriage approach to reducing the social, physical , and emotional problems associated with sexual activity among adolescents. 

Catholic Charities is the most comprehensive direct human service provider in Western New York, supporting 160,000 people each year at 53 locations across all eight counties. Founded in 1923, Catholic Charities also provides, without regard to religious affiliation, comprehensive counseling services for children and families, anti-domestic violence programming and emergency services, among other social and mental health services.

ProjecTruth Brings Former Miss Black California to Speak To Teens and Parents about “The Naked Truth”

BUFFALO, N.Y., March 3, 2009 – “The Naked Truth,” a presentation featuring former Miss Black California Lakita Garth-Wright, comes to schools in Buffalo, Kenmore and Tonawanda on March 12 and 13 to address the issues of teenage abstinence, decision-making, and character development with teens. An evening presentation open to all parents and teens is planned for March 12.

The event is sponsored by Catholic Charities’ ProjecTruth abstinence until marriage education program.

On March 12, Garth-Wright will address Buffalo Public School #307 - East High School, Buffalo Public School #39 - Martin Luther King Multi-Cultural Institute, and Mount Saint Mary Academy in Kenmore.

That evening, from 7 - 8 p.m., an open session for parents and teens will be held at Buffalo Public School #192 - Buffalo Academy of Visual and Performing Arts, 450 Masten Ave. All are invited to this interactive session that will encourage parents and teenagers to engage in discussions about abstinence and other risk behaviors.

Garth-Wright will return to Performing Arts on March 13 to address students, and will head to Cardinal O’Hara High School, 39 O’Hara Road, Tonawanda for an afternoon session.

The presentations will cover abstinence to high-risk behaviors such as sex, drugs and alcohol, and Garth-Wright will discuss peer pressure and gangs personal to her own life. In September 2008, Garth-Wright presented at Buffalo Public School #192, the Buffalo Academy of Visual and Performing Arts – her presentation was so well-received and impactful that she was invited back.

A graduate of the University of Southern California, Garth-Wright travels the nation sharing with teens the benefits of making the choice for abstinence. She is a social commentator, media consultant and professional entertainer from Los Angeles who has spoken to millions of teenagers through motivational assemblies nationally and internationally.

ProjecTruth has reached more than 50,000 teens in more than 120 schools and community sites across Western New York with its character-based abstinence until marriage approach to reducing the social, physical and emotional problems associated with sexual activity among adolescents.

Catholic Charities is the most comprehensive direct human service provider in Western New York, supporting 160,000 people each year at 53 locations across all eight counties. Founded in 1923, Catholic Charities also provides, without regard to religious affiliation, comprehensive counseling services for children and families, anti-domestic violence programming and emergency services, among other social and mental health services.

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Sixth Annual Creativity Contest Sponsored by ProjecTruth Under Way for Western New York Students

BUFFALO, NY, Dec. 22, 2008 – A holiday vacation from school may be just the time to channel creative energies into an annual creativity contest. The sixth annual Abstinence Until Marriage Creativity Contest sponsored by ProjecTruth of Catholic Charities is under way for students in seventh to 12th grades.  

Deadline for contest entries is Feb. 10, 2009. The contest carries the annual theme “Waiting is Easier because…” .

The contest encourages students to creatively express their understanding of the benefits of remaining sexually abstinent until marriage and/or the consequences of high-risk behavior through art, essays, poems and/or music.

First and second prizes will be awarded for each category in both divisions: 7th & 8th grades and 9th through 12th grades.

The winners’ posters, essays, poems and/or song lyrics will be reproduced for distribution to area schools and organizations and will also be published on the ProjecTruth Web site, www.projectruth.com.
    
Winners will be announced in early April and will be invited to receive their awards at a special reception on April 24, 2009.

While the contest is open to the community, special prizes will be awarded to the school with the greatest number of entries from students, including a framed reproduction of the winning poster and ProjecTruth’s “LifeSongs: Make the Right Choice” curriculum, including Scoreboard student workbook, and music CD/DVD.

Maximum poster size is 11” x 14”.  Essays and poems must be 100 words or less.  Songs must be three minutes or less, with lyrics and sound track included.  No slang, vulgarities, or sexually explicit images may be used.  

Winners will be judged on the best representation of the abstinence until marriage theme and artistic consideration as portrayed in a positive light.

For additional contest rules and information, call ProjecTruth at (716) 332-3910 or visit the Community Events page at www.projectruth.com or the News and Events page at www.ccwny.org.
    
Entries must be submitted by Feb. 10, 2009 to ProjecTruth, 3982 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14226-3411.

ProjecTruth has reached more than 45,000 teens in more than 120 schools and community sites across Western New York with its character-based abstinence-only approach to reducing the social, physical, and emotional problems associated with sexual activity among adolescents.  

Catholic Charities is the most comprehensive direct human service provider in Western New York, serving all eight counties with 53 locations without regard to age, race or religious affiliation. Established in 1923 as the human service component of the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, Catholic Charities also provides comprehensive counseling, services for children and families, anti-domestic violence programming, emergency assistance, and education and job training, among other social services

October 29, 2008 – Abstinence is Cool

More and more teens across the nation are revolting against the idea that they must date or have sex to be "cool" or "in." Keith will take this topic head on with audience interaction, humor, energy, and facts. Keith will empower teens to join in the New Sexual Revolution: abstinence until marriage and a fulfilling sex life afterwards.

When: October 29, 2008
Where: West Valley High School
5359 School St.
West Valley, NY 14171
Cost: Free

Keith will also conduct a workshop with community parents and guardians based on hisbook, "Fighting Back: How to Promote Abstinence in a Sex Saturated World". Keith has developed a system that always leads to strong parent turnout at his evening workshops.

Keith uses his trademark comedy and high energy to show the social, psychological, and health gains that abstinence from sex includes. He also makes it clear that abstinence is the only CERTAIN way to avoid pregnancy and STDs. He uses audience interaction to show where peer pressure comes from and how to beat it. Keith shows how love and sex are not the same thing. He ends upbeat by illustrating that those choosing not to have sex are the true rebels.

For more information, please call ProjecTruth at (716) 332-3910.

Former NFL Players, Former Miss Black California to Speak To Teens on Character Building

BUFFALO, NY, Sept. 17, 2008 – “The Naked Truth: A Character and Self Esteem Building Extravaganza,” featuring former NFL football players and a former beauty queen, will be held Saturday (Sept. 20) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy in Buffalo. Event co-sponsors are St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy and Catholic Charities’ ProjecTruth.

Saturday’s event follows a similar presentation, including the same speakers, to be offered to students ages 12 and older of Buffalo Public Schools on Friday (Sept. 19). That presentation will take place in a Buffalo high school and will be broadcast live to other Buffalo schools.

Character and self-esteem motivational speakers Keith Davis, Devin Wyman and Lakita Garth will address the teens on Saturday as well. The event, which will be held at St. Luke’s Mission, 325 Walden Ave., is free and open to youth ages 12 and older, as well as parents. Free lunch will be provided.

Former New York Giants linebacker Keith Davis performs feats of strength and utilizes his sense of humor while promoting abstinence until marriage, and. Devin Wyman, former New England Patriots defensive lineman, brings his own character-building message to teens. Lakita Garth, former Miss Black California, travels the nation sharing with teens the benefits of making the choice for abstinence.

St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy is a Roman Catholic Mission in Buffalo. This community, consisting of Amy Betros and Norm Paolini, Co-Founders and Co-Directors, and 15 full time lay missionaries, strive to live the Gospel message of God's great love and mercy for all His children through service to His poor and broken. Two ministries included the Good Shepherd Residence and the Don Bosco House.

ProjecTruth has reached more than 40,000 teens in more than 120 schools and community sites across Western New York with its character-based abstinence-only approach to reducing the social, physical, and emotional problems associated with sexual activity among adolescents.  

Catholic Charities is the most comprehensive direct human service provider in Western New York, serving all eight counties with 53 locations without regard to age, race or religious affiliation. Established in 1923, Catholic Charities also provides comprehensive counseling, services for children and families, anti-domestic violence programming, emergency assistance, and education and job training, among other social services