UNT social work class working with teen mothers and lobbying for comprehensive sex education in Texas public schools

DENTON (UNT), Texas – Dr. Scott Smith’s Social Work Practice II class at the University of North Texas is getting real world experience by planning several fundraisers for Alley’s House, a nonprofit organization based in Dallas that works with teenage mothers.

The class, an upper-level undergraduate course in the Department of Social Work, Rehabilitation and Addiction Studies, also is offering psychological and educational courses for the organization’s clients, volunteering at the headquarters and advocating for more comprehensive sex education in Texas.

“It is the mission of the Practice III class to identify an organization within our community that serves those less fortunate than us and who could utilize the help of our class,” said John-Michael Krakoski, a senior social work major and president of the class. “I think our class was enthusiastic to work with Alley’s House www.alleyshouse.org because many of us have either personally experienced or seen someone close to us struggle with the issue of teen pregnancy.”

Several Denton businesses are working with the class to organize times when part of their earnings will be donated to Alley’s House.

The Applebee’s at 707 South Interstate 35E will donate a percentage of its proceeds earned between 11 a.m. and closing on April 14 (Tuesday). Bowling at University Lanes, located at 1212 E. University Drive, also will help the effort by donating a portion of its proceeds earned between 3 and 5 p.m. on April 19 (Sunday).

A 5K run also is being planned. The run will be held at North Lakes Park in Denton on May 30 (Saturday). For more information or to register for the run contact Krakoski at hubs.krakoski@gmail.com.

In addition to raising funds, the students also will travel to Austin on April 27 (Monday) to lobby for two bills related to sex education in Texas public schools. The bills, SB 515 and HB 741, both pertain to amending Section 28.004 of the Education Code to allow Texas schools to teach sex education in a more comprehensive manner, which would include discussion of contraceptive methods and sexual transmitted diseases.

Krakoski says that teen pregnancy is an obvious problem that must be dealt with in a timely and efficient manner. Daniel Alpiger, a senior social work major and class vice president, agrees that the statistics show that changes are needed.

“Texas has the third highest rate of teen births and the highest rate of repeat births among 15-19 year olds in the United States,” said Alpiger. “In an ideal world, our young women and men would understand why Texas believes abstinence only is the most appropriate sex education, but this is not an ideal world and our teenagers and young adults need to have the information that is necessary for them to protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections, as well as unplanned pregnancies.”

For more information on this project contact Deborah Cardosa, a senior social work student, at dac0154@unt.edu or 817-454-8108.