Everyone who spoke and performed did an incredible job, but what I felt was most touching and had the greatest impact was the teen guest speakers from the Phoenix House. These young ladies and gentlemen were brave enough to sit in front of a huge group of their peers (whom they’d just met that morning) and share their stories. Not only were they eloquent and respectful, but most importantly, honest! I sat with them looking at the faces of everyone in the room listening intently as these 2 girls and 3 guys put their entire past on blast and give difficult details. Every person there, adults included, were so moved by their strength and perseverance. Some were moved to tears, other sat silently with a look of sorrowful understanding on their faces. It was so nice to hear so many people thank them for sharing and speak of how their story gave them hope.

So many have similar stories and yet feel so alone. It’s always uplifting to know that others not only understand, but can relate. These amazing people inspired everyone at the conference and are a great example of how anyone can overcome whatever they have been through and come on top a better and stronger person.

Monique Gutierrez,

PTW Orange County

     NO! Unfortunately many have made bad decisions and now have to live with the consequences. Being broke is no joke! Grown folks who work hard and have children still have a hard time making ends meet. Having a child is not CHEAP!! You have to buy diapers, formula, clothes, get the baby vaccinated, etc. If grown folks struggle, then how much more will a young teenage girl who has become pregnant for the firs time? Stats show that it is rare for the father of the baby to end up staying with the girl. Now this teenage girl needs to work, go to school and be a mom. Even if the baby’s father does stay and help it will be difficult to find a job and help with the responsibilities. It’s difficult as it is now to take care of you, so can you imagine how much more difficult it will be to take care a baby. Remember that you can show love with out having SEX. Being broke is no joke! Teenage pregnancy has led many to be broke. Having a family can be amazing, but I encourage you to wait until you’re married.

Proud to Wait y Que no mas,

Alfredo “Chito” Rosado Alfredo “Chito” Rosado,

Instructor Proud To Wait! An Abstinence Project for Youth

California Hispanic Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse,

Inc. 2101 Capitol Avenue Sacramento, CA 95816

P. 916.443.5473 F. 916.443.1732 E. arosado@chcada.org

How’s everybody doing?

　Well on my side it’s going good.  Here’s the thing, how many times have you felt that you can’t accomplish anything in life because something that you did in the past is haunting you and keeping you from reaching that goal or dream?　I recently was at an inner city high school in Los Angeles talking to some students who are on probation, or in placement homes. I was talking about relationships and the concept of renewed virginity when I realize that most of the students don’t believe a person can change. In other words, once you messed up you’re always a mess up. These students had no faith in themselves; they have been discouraged because they were surrounded by drugs, gangs and violence.　Although it was discouraging for me to learn of this, I decided to hear them out to get a better understanding of where they are coming from. What struck me the most was that some of the students said that they don’t understand how people can change their ways or how they can improve their lives.　They even went as far as saying their own parents and teachers believe they were failures.　My heart completely sank.　The only word that came to my head was “Wow ,” even the teachers do not believe in their students. How are we going to make this world a better place when all we do is bash on each other? Instead of building each other up, we tear them down. It’s sad to say that this is an everyday battle our youth face in America. Hearing the students express themselves,　I had to tell them that their biggest enemy wasn’t their parents, it’s not their　teachers, or their significant other; the only person that can hold you back from ever achieving anything in your life is yourself. Going back to the question I asked at the beginning of this blog, is it fair for us to stop pursuing our goals and dreams because of something we regret doing?   No it’s not, but it’s a lot harder looking back than looking forward, and no matter the situation we can always overcome any odds that are holding us back. Life is a hike and we are going to climb some high mountains and cross some low valleys, but through it all, we can learn and accomplish what people doubted from us in the beginning.  Yeah, there’s a bunch of haters out there, but let them hate. You don’t win anything by fighting or talking smack, but the greatest revenge is by accomplishing something that nobody believed you could accomplish.   By proving them wrong, there is nothing they can say to you. To all the youth reading this, there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel.  You might feel like you’re done and can’t move forward because of the situation at home or whatever, but don’t give up. Life isn’t easy but believe in the more you fight for what you want in life, the more precious it becomes to you.

You all have a Great Day,

JImmy Gomez

                                                                          ｪﾒﾁﾄﾖﾉvﾁﾄ!!! ( I’m Proud To Wait )

This is the message I represented through my lifestyle choices during my recent trip to Tokyo Japan! A lifestyle that I believe is very rare in such places where prostitution is legal and easily accessible.

I was totally overwhelmed by how huge the sex industry is in the major cities of Japan. Especially Shinjuku, Japan. To my surprise, the hotel I was staying in was less than a mile from what some would consider the “red light district”. The streets were lined with pimps and prostitutes. Many of the pimps had menus in which you could chose what girl you wanted to have sex with. Others were walking the streets looking for new recruits. Even older women were trying to lure foreign tourists into strip clubs, hostess bars, and love hotels, in which you pay per hour to have sex with the girl of your choice.

My heart was heavily burdened by the things my eyes were seeing.

Hundreds of night clubs and sex shops…thousands of people walking the streets…many of them getting sucked into the lie that says, “Have sex in Japan, and no one will ever find out back at home”.

One night upon walking back from downtown Shinjuku, I was approached by a local pimp trying to sell me sex with a Japanese girl. I listened and secretly video taped him as he explained to me how the process works, and how he would give me the “happy hour” special of 17,000 yen instead of the normal rate of 22,000 yen. Basically, $170 US dollars would include one hour with Japanese girl, with all “love hotel” room fees included. I couldn’t believe how this man was so aggressive in his approach.

Overall, my trip to Japan was very eye opening, and reminded me of why I do what I do…and why I chose to be “Proud To Wait”. There are many people that are hurting and filling the void deep inside of them with sex. I have been equipped with a message of truth that I plan to infect the world with…whether here in America or overseas, it’s time to E-Knock-Ulate!!!

Peace

Jack aka Minister RMB

JUNE 5^th 2010 was our 4^th Annual Student Leadership Youth Conference in Costa Mesa California and it was on and Crackin!!! Teens from all over Los Angeles, Orange County and Sacramento came together to receive encouragement and empowerment from some incredible Guest Speakers.  Our key note speaker for the day was Rashad Jones from Ocala Florida.  He brought a great message to encourage the students to wait until Marriage to have sex.  He also spit an incredible 5 min Freestyle with topics from the Crowd.  One word, BEASTED!!!!

There was also a concert by some of the Artist on our CD Project THE ENOCKULATION.  Silva Dolla, J-6, and MINISTA RMB all preformed some of the songs from the Project.

One of the Highlights of the Conference was the student panel in which some of  the students from the Phoenix House  in Santa Anna California came and shared their stories and how they have made changes in their lives and have turned their lives around.  Their stories impacted every student in attendance.

We also had a skit preformed by  The School of Arts & Enterprise out of Los Angeles.  They did a phenomenal job communicating the importance of making good decisions as it pertains to your future.  The staff of all three offices were in attendance and they did an incredible job hosting and organizing the event.  If you were not able to check out the conference, check out the pictures on this website but also on our facebook page.  If your not already click on the fan button and become a fan of PTW on facebook!

–
Thanks,
Rashad Jones

 3080 Airway Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92626-6034

   This year will be extra special as we will have some of the artists from our CD project perform.  Minister RMB, J-6 and Silva Dolla will be on hand.  There will be plenty of prizes and giveaways. Lunch will be provided and each student will receive a copy of the CD & a Conference T-shirt! Wait til you see this years design. All this, and the best part is it is all FREE!!!!!  This year our Key note speaker will be Rashad Jones from Ocala Florida.

                                                                                                      Since 2004, Rashad has worked as a Health Educator for BRAZEN, one of the largest abstinence education programs in Florida.  With over 10 years of experience Rashad Jones reaches thousands of youth every year with a creative, fun and life-changing message of abstinence until marriage.  His community outreach expertise has also allowed him to travel to 15 different countries including Germany, Croatia, Austria, Brazil, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Mexico, France, Belgium, Luxemburg, Holland, Estonia, Latvia, Finland and Russia.  He has also traveled to many cities throughout the US all in efforts of impacting the lives of thousands of young people.   Join us this year and gather with Teens from all over the State of California for this life changing event.  You won’t want to miss it. For more info email us here at PTW or call one of the local offices in your area.

Sergio Limon

Project Director

Proud to Wait

PS: Don’t forget to join our fan page on facebook and press “like

            I think children are a blessing, period.  But I also think that waiting until we were financially stable and in a committed, stable marriage will help Ben and I tremendously when raising our child(ren).  We all want the best for our children and I think that waiting to have sex until you’re married is the best way to ensure that you won’t have a child before you’re “ready.”  We were able to be excited about this baby from the very moment we found out we were expecting – there was no worry or stress, no going through our options of keeping the baby, giving it up for adoption, or having an abortion, we were simply thrilled and overjoyed at the news.

            Enjoy your teenage years.  Enjoy your young adult years.  And when you’re ready – enjoy your marriage to the fullest!!!  And then, enjoy the season of expecting your first child without unnecessary worry – as I am currently doing!  As always – I hope for the BEST in each of your lives!!!

~Carrie Harrell

PROUD TO WAIT SACRAMENTO                                                 

Each and every day is another chance to make a difference in your life and someone else’s life!  I know in my life there have been a number of times when I’ve realized that it’s time to make changes in the way I live and more importantly in the way I treat others.   What I have learned is that it’s important to recognize that sometimes our greatest glory is not that we never fail, but that we can start fresh each day, get up and try again!  

I truly believe that life is a journey and the paths that we choose ultimately create our destiny.  One of my favorite Oscar Wilde quotes is, “I am not young enough to know everything.”  This quote sticks with me as I get older because I realize there is more and more about life that I just don’t understand!  Part of growing up is continuing to mature and as I get older I continually come to the realization that every small opportunity is often the beginning of a great adventure!

So, as you start each adventure the real question is how do you achieve the most that you can and more importantly, how do you have the greatest positive impact on others?  In my opinion, I think there are many things that are crucial to having successful life, and the most important aspects of life are having healthy relationships and living a life that is truly fulfilling!  I will say this though, be careful, because one guaranteed way to failing in your life is trying to please everybody else.  I think it seems like common sense but sometimes we can forget that the first step to getting what we want in life is to decide what it is, that you want!  So take some time to decide what you want from life and take the first step on that journey today!

JAKE TIRABASSI

PROUD TO WAIT ORANGE COUNTY