• Teen pregnancy costs American taxpayers at least 7 billion dollars each
• year. (The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy Campaign Update, Spring 2005)

• Approximately 30% of U.S. families are now being headed by a single parent,
•and in the 80% of those families, the mother is the sole parent. The United
•States is the world’s leader in fatherless families. (U.S. Census Bureau)

• In 2002, close to 1.7 million teenagers (ages 12–19) were victims of violent
•crimes. (National Center for Victims of Crime, 2004)

• As high as 96% of teens report emotional and psychological abuse in their
•dating relationships. (Journal of the American Medical Association, 2001)

• Suicide is the third leading cause of death among teenagers – over 1,500
•teens kill themselves a year. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Adolescence is a time that brings many transitions for teens and their families; some that challenge them to make critical life choices and decisions. CDM is here to help them navigate through these uncertain times. We equip teens with the necessary tools to take the positive steps towards a brighter future. Through its many workshops and retreats, CDM honestly addresses the issues facing today’s youth and gives them the truth behind the values to help them make positive choices in their lives.

The stresses and conflicts facing our society have not only created a moral dilemma, but a socioeconomic crisis as well. We must turn things around – future generations are counting on us!