CONCERNED BLACK MEN HOST SECOND ANNUAL FATHERHOOD FORUM

PRINCE FREDERICK, MD (December 22, 1998) -- A recent state wide survey found teen pregnancy in Southern Maryland to be on the decline, but in Calvert County there was a five point increase.

That increase, a national rise in teen sexual activity and the growingnumber of sexually transmitted disease cases involving youth are among the reasons why Concerned Black Men (CBM) of Calvert are hosting their second annual "Fatherhood Forum" Saturday, January 16, 1999 from 1-3 p.m. in the auditorium of Calvert High School.

CBM feels it important to educate our young people about the degree ofpreparation needed for parenthood and how to cope with the many pressures of our modern society.

The forum is open to all, but especially church youth ministries, families with teenage children and particularly young men ages 13 to 21.

Participating in the discussion will be professionals in the fields of teen pregnancy, unemployment, incarceration, mentoring and parenting.

Refreshments including pizza will be served following the forum and movie passes will be given to youth attending this community wide event.

The forum is in response to CBM's National Action Plan to address serious problems facing African-American children and their mothers, with a special focus on the supporting role of the father in the family.

For more information, call (410) 257-2259 or (410) 326-1993.