Second phase of teen pregnancy prevention campaign launched

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- United Way of Greater Milwaukee, in collaboration with Serve Marketing, is launching the second phase of its “What You Can’t Do With A Baby,” campaign just in time for back-to-school.

The ads are strategically located at bus stops in areas with the highest teen pregnancy rates and along routes teens typically take to school. They depict a female soccer player and a male break-dancer in action, both with baby carriers strapped to them, and the message, “Think your teen life won’t change with a baby?” The ads also direct teens to BabyCanWait.com, which connects them to information and resources to help prevent pregnancy and promote healthy relationships.

“The ads are intended to send a strong message – your life will change drastically if you become a teen parent,” said Serve volunteer creative director, Gary Mueller. “They show youth the immediate impact becoming a teen parent will have on their lives.”

“We want teens to know that becoming a teen parent profoundly changes your life,” added Nicole Angresano, vice president of Community Impact, United Way of Greater Milwaukee. “You’re going to miss out on a lot of opportunities, including sports and social activities. We want teens to be smart and make healthy choices that will leave all doors open to them!”

The ads are the latest tactic in the United Way-led Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative, which has been recognized as an international model for successful community collaboration.

Milwaukee’s teen birth rate is currently at a historically low level. City of Milwaukee health officials say the current trend indicates that Milwaukee should be on track to reduce the teen birth rate by 46% by 2015, a goal which was set by United Way of Greater Milwaukee, the Center for Urban Population Health and the Milwaukee Health Department in 2008.