Photo provided Christian youth speaker Jeffrey Dean will speak in Niles and Dowagiac March 13-15 on abstinence, social media, drinking and drugs.

Jennifer Smith knows full well how one poor decision can affect a person’s life for years to come.

As executive director of the Pregnancy Care Center in Niles, she has seen the decisions play out firsthand.

That’s why she and the Pregnancy Care Center are bringing in a national speaker to talk to area students and parents about how their decisions today can affect their futures.

Christian youth speaker Jeffrey Dean will be in the Niles and Dowagiac area March 13-15 speaking on a wide range of subjects, including abstinence, social media, drinking and drugs.

“If one kid or a handful of kids are inspired to make decisions that are going to help them instead of hurt them, then I think it will be worth it,” Smith said.

Dean will give a “Plugged-in Parenting” seminar at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 13 at the Niles High School auditorium.
It is open to parents from Niles, Brandywine and Buchanan school districts. The seminar will teach parents about electronic devices, social media and how their kids might be using the devices and social media.

“It will help bridge that generation gap for parents that might not have the technological savvy that their kids have,” Smith said.

Dean will give a presentation on social media at 3:30 p.m. Friday, March 14 at Southwestern Michigan College’s Dowagiac Campus in the campus theatre. At 7 p.m. Dean will host a youth rally at the campus.

Dean will also hold an assembly on social media, abstinence and other topics for Niles Community Schools students on March 15.

Smith said the Pregnancy Care Center spearheaded the effort to bring Dean to the Niles area.
Many local churches and organizations helped raise the $4,500 needed book Dean.

Smith has been with the Pregnancy Care Center for two years. Pregnancy Care Center offers free pregnancy testing, help and guidance to those needing it in the area.

Those interested in attending Dean’s seminars should contact the Pregnancy Care Center at 684-1896.