POZ - Women Hub : Profiles: Women : Rev. Mariah Ann Britton, PhD: Teaching Youth the Rites of Passage

In 2005, the Reverend Mariah Ann Britton, PhD, established The Moriah Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to adolescent development, human sexuality education and spiritual awareness. Her Rites of Passage Program for Youth incorporates HIV education in ways adolescents find relevant to what’s happening in their lives. During the program's first year, young people in grades 10 through 12 participate in the program. The second year, they are invited back to be peer leaders. In addition, when they become young adults, some participants become mentors in the program. The peer leadership model used in initiatives of this kind shows that faith-based organizations can play an important role in helping communities fight HIV/AIDS. Britton’s program offers a unique approach to teen sexuality that churches are embracing.

What’s the duration of the Rites of Passage Program for Youth, and what types of courses does it include?

The Rites of Passage Program for Youth begins in November and ends in May. We usually meet on Saturdays for two and a half to three hours. Throughout the year, we do four overnight intensives, a college trip and an overnight weekend retreat, which is a very intense experience at the end of the program.

Our life skills workshops focus on money and time management, nutrition and health, genealogy, race and ethnicity issues and self-expression. We also look at conflict resolution, the importance of community service—our adolescents participate in New York Cares Day [New York City’s largest day of volunteer service]—explore substance abuse issues and the rights young people have in the state of New York (including as students and employees). Also, we participate in a [type of] vision quest (a rite of passage for adolescents in Native American culture) where teens leave the community seeking their spirit guide and come back with an understanding of what role they will play in the community. In addition, we organize a spa day (with mentors providing services) to emphasize to adolescents the importance of treating themselves well and a physical challenge to test their determination in the face of hardship.

What aspects of human sexuality does your Rites of Passage Program for Youth explore with adolescents?

Our goal is to provide them with basic information about the human reproductive and the sexual response systems. We talk to them about practical issues, such as how to prevent HIV and [other sexually transmitted infections], positive decision-making in a relationship and the responsibilities sexual involvement with someone carries. We also help them gain perspective on the images, ideas and values projected by the larger culture that impacts their understanding of themselves in relationship to others. We help them consider delaying sexual involvement. But if they are already sexually active, we help them be more responsible or respectful and use caution in their behavior.

Have there been any challenges with teaching human sexuality from a religious/spiritual viewpoint in the Rites of Passage Programs?

No, not really. But we have had some conflict trying to assist other faith-based institutions with their development of Rites of Passage Programs. Some have been resistant to a more liberal approach to understanding and teaching human sexuality. But we really haven’t had that much difficulty. The [program we teach] is not religious based. I am an ordained minister to the gospel of Jesus Christ, so that certainly guides us and is the framework for just about all the work that I do. But we felt it was important to move away from religious teaching so that we might be able to invite all young people into the program. We have worked primarily with young people from the five boroughs of New York City who are affiliated with churches, but many of them are not.

What motivated you to create an organization that embraces teen development?

Throughout most of my career I’ve worked with adolescents and young adults. I started out as a high school teacher with the Board of Education. Once I entered into ministry, I definitely realized that my focus would be on youth. For about 17 years, I was the minister for youth at the Riverside Baptist Church [in New York City]. When I thought about the next phase of my life, I wanted to be able to focus on youth development in my work. I also wanted to use my experience and skills in youth development to assist other organizations that might want to implement a Rites of Passage Program. When I left Riverside Baptist Church, I founded The Moriah Institute, which provides a Rites of Passage Program and comprehensive human sexuality education for faith-based leaders. Primarily, we’re centered in New York, but we also do human sexuality work with seminaries in the Virginia and Washington, DC, area.

It was important for me to follow this path because I see not only a critical need for individual work with adolescents but also the necessity to help youth organizations create a more effective way to work with adolescents. Also, because I’ve done work in human sexuality for a number of years, it was natural for youth development to be part of the program that we do with young people. The Moriah Institute’s Rites of Passage Program for Youth includes an intensive focus on human sexuality [including HIV education].

Does The Moriah Institute plan to offer its Rites of Passage Program in other states?

Absolutely, that’s one of the reasons why we’ve produced the manual A More Excellent Way for organizations that want to create their own Rites of Passage Programs across the country or the world.

Have parents been receptive to their children learning human sexuality?

We’ve found parents to be very supportive because my work is comprehensive. It’s not abstinence-based only, and it is open to concerns and questions that are challenging young people in this age.

Have your programs helped parents speak more openly about the topic of sexuality with their children?

Really, the Rites of Passage Program for Youth is focused more toward adolescents. In the past, I’ve conducted human sexuality workshops for parents. My experience has been that parents needed a place for their own dialogue about their individual issues. This enabled them to then have meaningful conversations with their children. Often, parents want to have discussions with their children, but can’t easily do so or they’re nervous about what kinds of questions their kids are going to ask them. Many have a lot of unresolved issues about their own behavior as adolescents and questions about their current sexual activity. But once they’re able to gain confidence and information, it helps them to be better educators. I actually believe that parents should be the primary sexuality educators of their children, but often they aren’t because they’re afraid. They fear that they don’t have the correct information or are afraid that what they say might mislead their child. Many parents come down very hard on their kids, but once they’re able to really explore and understand [sexuality issues], then communication with their child becomes easier.

What type of feedback have you received from adolescents who participated in the program?

Five young adults who went through the program are with us now. Some have been mentors with us for at least the last five or six years. They have said that the Rites of Passage Program helped them in job situations and college. They said they became more open, focused and articulate because of the program.

Adolescents who’ve come to us as initiates and then return as peer leaders express how workshops in the program helped them focus in school and gain a better understanding of their family dynamics.

What type of feedback have you received from parents whose children participated in the Rites of Passage Program?

Parents tell us that their children have made a real turnaround. They also report that during the program they notice changes at home straight through to the end of the program year.

For more information, visit themoriahinstituteny.org.

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