HEALTHY BABIES PROJECT

LIFE EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM (LEP)

Sexual Health & Life Skills for Teens

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

About the Life Empowerment Program (LEP)

The Life Empowerment Program (LEP) is a youth development program designed to support adolescents—particularly young women—in building the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to make informed decisions about their health, relationships, and future.

Through evidence-based curricula and interactive workshops, LEP helps teens reduce risky behaviors, strengthen self-awareness, and develop tools for long-term success.

The program is anchored by two core interventions:

Sisters Informing Healing Living and Empowering (SiHLE)

SiHLE is a peer-led, small group intervention designed to reduce risky sexual behavior among African American adolescent females.

This program focuses on:

Building ethnic and gender pride
Understanding HIV and sexual health risks
Developing safer decision-making strategies
Practicing communication and boundary-setting skills

Through role-playing and guided exercises, participants build confidence in:

Initiating conversations about safer sex
Negotiating healthy relationship boundaries
Refusing unsafe or unwanted sexual encounters

Making Proud Choices (MPC)

The Making Proud Choices curriculum equips young people with practical life and decision-making skills that support healthy development.

Participants develop:

Cognitive skills to assess personal risk and consequences
Intrapersonal skills to understand emotions and self-awareness
Interpersonal skills to navigate relationships and peer pressure
Self-efficacy to make confident, informed decisions
Motivation to apply these skills in everyday life

WHAT PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE

What You’ll Gain

Through LEP, participants gain the tools and support to:

Make informed decisions about sexual health and relationships
Build confidence and self-awareness
Develop strong communication and boundary-setting skills
Reduce risk related to pregnancy, HIV, and STDs
Strengthen personal identity and future goals

Support & Learning Environment

Peer-led group sessions
Interactive workshops and real-life practice scenarios
Access to healthcare professionals and educators
A safe, supportive, and judgment-free space

BOOSTER SESSIONS (ENRICHMENT)

Expanded Learning Opportunities

LEP includes booster sessions led by community professionals, giving participants real-world exposure and deeper learning.

Examples of past sessions include:

Controlling Your Emotions
Learn how emotions influence decisions, how to avoid impulsive choices, and how to recognize unhealthy or unsafe situations.
HIV Health Clinic (with Whitman-Walker Health)
Free STD testing and education on why regular health screenings are important and normal.
Exploring Birth Control Methods
Education on different contraceptive options, how they work, and their effectiveness.
Healthy Communication Skills
Practice navigating real-life situations, including avoiding risky behavior and recognizing aggressive communication.
What’s the Dilemma Youth Forum
A youth-centered event focused on confidence, leadership, and overcoming challenges, featuring speakers with lived experience.

WHO THIS PROGRAM IS FOR

This program is designed for
- African American Teen girls and boys
- Youth seeking sexual health education
- Teens looking to build confidence and life skills
- Young people interested in healthy relationships and decision-making

Serving Youth in Washington, DC and the DMV Area

Healthy Babies Project supports young people across Washington, DC by providing programs that promote health, confidence, and long-term success. LEP is part of our commitment to equipping youth with the tools they need to make empowered choices.

IMPACT & OUTCOMES

Real Results

LEP delivers measurable impact:

61% of participants increased their knowledge of pregnancy prevention
89% percent of youth understood STD/STI prevention
81.5% of youth in the program are not sexually active. Of the sexually active, 28% engage in unsafe sexual behaviors. At the end of the year, 63% of the youth who are sexually active stated they practice safer behaviors (consistently use condoms or get tested)
43% reported increased confidence in accessing contraceptives or helping a peer
98% of participants did not become pregnant during the program year. Only 2% of participants became pregnant within two years after completing the program

These outcomes reflect the program’s effectiveness in helping youth make safer, more informed decisions.