Written by: Jackie Schula
2024 GKFF Summer Impact Intern
She / Her
This past summer, I worked as the marketing intern for Amplify. During this time, I had the chance to reflect on the sex education I received and see the positive impact it made on my life. I even had the chance to reconnect with my former sex ed teacher, Sierra Carter, who is now the training manager here at Amplify. Sex education taught me how to make informed decisions regarding my relationships, body, and health. It helped me understand how to practice consent and boundaries in all aspects of my life. At a time when I felt that every aspect of my life was changing, sex education allowed me to feel validated and affirmed. I can confidently say that without those skills, I would not be where I am today.
Growing up in Tulsa Public Schools, I had personal experience with the challenges surrounding our education system. Now more than ever, we need to empower and advocate for our youth. Young people’s health and well-being is something that should not be overlooked. Amplify, alongside many of its partners, is progressing towards a healthier and more informed future. We need to sustain meaningful conversations surrounding these organizations and their resources.
As we celebrate Amplify Youth Health Day on November 3, we recognize how Tulsa is actively amplifying youth sexual health and well-being.
1. Utilizing health services at H.O.P.E. Testing
H.O.P.E. Testing offers free and low-cost testing and treatment options for sexually transmitted infections. They provide a comfortable and relaxed environment at their clinic and have testing vans that travel across Oklahoma to provide services at places like bars, nightclubs, nonprofits, fairs, events, and more!
2. Young people advocating with Youth Leadership Council
Youth Leadership Council (YLC) is a group of young people committed to advancing adolescent sexual health and well-being in Tulsa. YLC members select, implement, and lead projects dedicated to sexual health, reproductive health, healthy relationships, and wellness. They serve as a resource to their peers in Tulsa for all things sexual health and provide youth input to initiatives that happen at Amplify.
3. Parents talking with their young people & advocating with Amplify’s parent group
Amplify’s Parent and Trusted Adult Group is a great place for supportive adults to learn more about youth sexual health in the Tulsa area while building community and advocating for Tulsa’s young people. Group members help inform Amplify about what parents and trusted adults need to support young people in their sexual health and wellness. Parents across our community are having open and honest discussions with young people about love, sex, and healthy relationships, normalizing the conversation.
4. Over 7,000 Tulsa-area students receive sex education every year
34 school sites provided evidence-based sexual health education to Tulsa-area young people during the 2022-2023 school year! Amplify coordinates with school personnel, sex educators, and classroom teachers to support local sex education efforts.
5. Young people learning how to make responsible decisions by participating in Tulsa Health Department’s PREP Program
PREP collaborates with Amplify and Youth Services of Tulsa to provide Tulsa County youth with the education and information necessary to make healthy choices and to positively change their knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs when it comes to sexual activity and high-risk behaviors.
6. Sex educators providing information on Sexual Health Awareness and LGBTQIA+ support at Youth Services of Tulsa
Youth Services of Tulsa supports sex educators who teach students in the classroom. YST’s Health Services team works with young people confidentially to answer questions, give support, provide transportation to sexual health appointments, obtain free condoms, and more! Their LGBTQ+ program also facilitates GSA’s and programming for local LGBTQ+ youth to find community and resources in Tulsa.
7. Young parents receiving support from Strong Tomorrows and Tulsa Birth Equity Initiative
Strong Tomorrows helps expecting and parenting students in the Tulsa community navigate obstacles and achieve success by offering free support and pathways to graduation. They connect young parents with educational, health, and wellness resources to ensure a bright future. Tulsa Birth Equity Initiative equips families in Tulsa to have healthy births and reduce maternal disparities, including young families!
8. Accessing birth control through Take Control Initiative
Take Control Initiative provides free access to all birth control methods, IUD and implant removals, Lyft rides to appointments at partner clinics, and more. Young people included! Are you curious if you’re eligible for free birth control? Find out here!
9. Teens going to the CHC clinic at YST
Community Health Connection has a clinic at Youth Services of Tulsa, including Teen Clinic! CHC offers confidential STI testing and family planning services, such as birth control and pregnancy tests. The added benefit of being at Youth Services of Tulsa means you can connect with YST’s Health Services team while you’re there!
10. Latine and Hispanic families breaking barriers around sexual health through Rompiendo Los Tabúes
Rompiendo Los Tabúes (Breaking the Taboo), a partnership between Amplify, Take Control Initiative and El Centro, engages young people and their trusted adults in bilingual conversations about sexual health. Families identify sexual health topics of interest, and sessions highlight information about healthy relationships, consent, feelings, safe and unsafe touch, reproductive anatomy, menstruation, birth control, and more.
11. Young people making healthy decisions and lowering the teen birth rate and STI rates
The Tulsa County teen birth rate has declined 67% since 2009, alongside the expansion of adolescent sexual health programs. This not only signifies improved health outcomes for adolescents but also has long-term benefits for a community’s overall well-being, including enhanced educational attainment, economic stability, and healthier communities. When young people have access to sexual health education and healthcare services, they make healthy decisions for themselves, in turn, creating a healthier Tulsa for us all!
Tulsa has a vibrant community with amazing resources for young people. This Amplify Youth Health Day, find out how you can get involved by educating others about these services, collaborating with young people on their sexual health journey, and advocating for sex education in your community. To support Amplify, add you or your organization’s name to our sign-on letter and purchase an Amplify Youth Health Day t-shirt, which benefits our organization and helps us continue our mission.
Keep up the great work, Tulsa! Happy Amplify Youth Health Day!