DIAMONDS PROGRAM
United Way's Diamonds Program is a youth health and education initiative.
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We talk to youth about positive decision-making, healthy behaviors, relationships, and other risk factors that have a long-term impact on their education, health, and life goals.
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We advise parents and caregivers on talking to teens in a way that creates open, ongoing conversations.
We engage community partners on issues related to prevention and risks related to healthy youth development.
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Our Impact
For over 20 years, our Diamonds Program has made great strides in decreasing the rate of teen pregnancy. Since it began in 2000, teenage pregnancies in Sumter County have declined by 68%. However, there is more work to do. In 2018 Sumter had higher teen pregnancy rates than South Carolina and the United States at 23.4 per 1,000 births among those 15-19 years old.
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Our Goals
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Educate middle and high school students about the consequences of early sexual experimentation
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Help teens recognize that sex and pregnancy can have life-altering consequences
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Help teens become more assertive, better problem-solvers, communicators and decision-makers
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Help teens resist peer, societal and cultural pressure
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Increase family unification
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Increase male responsibility
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Educate parents about resources available and the importance of communication with teens about this difficult topic
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Our Work
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We have a long history of conducting classes at middle schools, high schools, colleges, churches, and community-based programs throughout Sumter County. We are currently providing services at Furman Middle School.
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We use an evidence-based, medically-accurate curriculum that is age-appropriate for groups and is approved through the Sumter School District Comprehensive Education Committee.
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Parents are invited to contact our office anytime for more information. You may call or email Melanie Dees at mdees@uwaysumter.org.
Resources​
Below are several helpful websites
for you and your teen.
Designed for teens. This site answers questions they may have about sex, relationships, love and birth control. There are games, quizzes, videos and more.
The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy has a great website with lots of videos and information for parents and teenagers. It has statistics and detailed information about the costs and consequences of teen pregnancy.
This SC-based website is for teenagers and parents. It has information about starting the conversation with your child and for teeagers how to start a conversation with your parent. There is information about how to find local resources, information about birth control, peer pressure, relationships, sex, love and more.
Men's Day Wednesday
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Men’s Day Wednesday is a program that focuses on the importance of fathers and male role models in the lives of children. Fathers have a significant and positive effect on their children’s lives. There is a connection between father absence and social problems according to the National Fatherhood Initiative. Children with an absent father are more likely to deal with poverty, teen pregnancy, juvenile delinquency, physical abuse, suicide, substance abuse, alcohol abuse, and more.
United Way Diamonds teamed up with Golden Corral and Sweet Frog of Sumter to bring families and food together. Eating regularly with family members reduces rates of substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, and depression.
