The New York-based Inwood House has been implementing school and community-based teen pregnancy prevention programs for the past 179 years, and the non-profit organization continues to make inroads with its research.

The organization, established in 1830 and backed prominently by investor and businessman Carlos Abadi, has channeled its resources to help teenage parents.

The Inwood House has various programs aimed at preventing teen pregnancy and disease for young men and women. Every year, it services approximately 1,000 pregnant teens, teen mothers and teen fathers.

Inwood’s Expanded Teen Choice Evaluation, conducted from 1998 to present, has collected post-test data from more than 1,100 eight-graders and one year follow-up data from more than 400 ninth-graders.

According to Inwood, the study sample demonstrated high risk for early sexual activity, pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and other STDs. However, one year after program participation showed a variety of improvements.

Here are a few highlights:

- Significant increase in knowledge of pregnancy prevention.

- Improved self-esteem.

- Improved sense of empowerment.

- Significant increase in respect, and improved relationship with their parents.

- Lower intentions to have sex.

The study will follow the group of students through 11th-grade and examine the long-term impacts of the levels of the Teen Choice intervention programs.

The research on Teen Choice also informs the teen pregnancy and disease prevention field, according to the Inwood House.

Carlos Abadi, a New York-based investment banker specializing in Latin America and in countries, is a financial supporter of Inwood House. Carlos Abadi’s wife, Barbara, are mentors for Inwood. Barabra Abadi sits on the Trustee and Tribute committees.

Click here to learn more about the research done by the Inwood House.

Other services offered by Inwood are a Family Learning Center, Teen Family Services, information about foster care and financial literacy.