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NRL News
A “How-to” for Pro-Life Young People Decisions. Young people make them every day. Some are trivial (which outfit to wear), others chart the course of their lives (where to attend college, what values to embrace), and still others have the potential to make history. To pro-lifers, it’s the history-making decisions that matter most. Once alerted to the dangers posed by abortion and euthanasia, every young person must make a decision: sit on the sidelines or get involved in the cause of a lifetime. For those who choose to embrace the fight for life, a door to service is opened—one that will change their lives and save countless others. It doesn’t matter if they are shy or outgoing, book smart or street smart, analytical or empathetic. There is a place for every single young person in the pro-life movement. Today’s middle school, junior high, high school, and college students are the future of the pro-life movement. As a generation, they are preparing the way for a return to a time where life is respected, protected, and valued beyond measure. Polls show that they are overwhelmingly pro-life and experience tells us that they are passionate, articulate, and spectacular agents of change when they decide to make a difference. It is our job as the adults who help shape their lives to educate, encourage, and provide opportunities for these future leaders to grow in their pro-life vocation. Fortunately that is an easy task! Opportunities abound for young pro-lifers to hone their skills, amp up their enthusiasm and actively participate in saving lives. Some are seasonal and include: The National Teens for Life Summit held every year around the March for Life in January. This year it is January 18–20 in Crystal City, Virginia, right outside Washington, D.C. (For more information, contact jlittle@wrtl.org or call 715-378-4302.) Statewide oratory contests which allow young people to express their pro-life views verbally—and win prizes in the process! (Information on state contests is available from your state affiliate of NRLC.) Oregon Right to Life’s Camp Joshua, an amazing hands-on training opportunity for teens and college students, held every year during spring break season. This year’s camp will be March 24–27. (For more information, visit www.ortl.org.) The National Teens for Life Convention—three days of education, motivation, and advocacy training—to say nothing of the food, fellowship, and fun! This year’s convention will be held minutes from the heart of the fight for life—our nation’s capital, Washington D.C., at a time of year ripe with tradition and celebration—July 3–5, 2008. All of this is sponsored by the National Right to Life Committee. (For more information, contact jlittle@wrtl.org or call 715-378-4302.) The National Right to Life Academy—a six-week training program for college students who want to learn more about the history and strategy of the pro-life movement, along with in-depth information on the life issues, insights into the legislative process, tools for debating and presenting the issues, and more. This year’s academy will be held from June 30–August 9, 2008, in Washington, D.C. For more information or to register for the academy, visit www.nrlc.org. Wisconsin Right to Life’s Camps Esther (basic) and Nehemiah (advanced) offer junior high through college aged youth a chance to learn about the life issues in a fun camp atmosphere. The training covers the fundamentals of the fight for life and equips attendees to take the pro-life message back to their schools, churches, and communities. This year’s camps will be held June 15–20 and July 20–25. For more information, contact jlittle@wrtl.org or call 715-378-4302. Other year-round opportunities for pro-life service include: Volunteering at local pregnancy centers. Contact your local NRLC chapter for more information on centers in your area. Starting local Teens for Life groups—to obtain a copy of Wisconsin Right to Life’s Teen Training Manual send $15 to WTL Training Manual, 9356 E. Ash Ave., Solon Springs, WI 54873 along with your name and address. Organizing pro-life groups on college campuses. For more information, contact National Right to Life at 202-626-8800. Writing speeches and reports on life issues. For more information, visit www.nrlc.org or check out http://www.wrtl.org/students/tipsonwriting.aspx. Regardless of where pro-life youth decide to focus their energy and talents, the bottom line is this: their involvement will save lives. It is really as simple as that. So please, if you know of young people in middle school through college who have a heart for the pro-life cause, please plug them in to one (or more!) of these resources. Joleigh Little is the Wisconsin Teens for Life director and Region 5 and 6 coordinator for Wisconsin Right to Life. |