M.A.R.S.: Male Advocates for Responsible Sexuality
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GRAPHIC DESIGNERS, ARTISTS, CREATIVE MINDS!
Enter the M.A.R.S. Poster Contest and create our new print media look! The winning poster will be used in five Oregon counties where M.A.R.S. is implemented to promote male involvement in sexual health. Download the poster contest guidelines, a registration form and entry form for more information. Visit our MARS MySpace page for contest updates and more information. Submission deadline is May 27, 2008.
What is M.A.R.S.? 
M.A.R.S. stands for Male Advocates for Responsible Sexuality. M.A.R.S. is comprehensive, abstinence-based health education program focused on addressing the sexual and reproductive health needs and concerns of males age 13-25.
Recognizing that peers are highly influential during the adolescent years, M.A.R.S. uses a peer-to-peer approach. M.A.R.S. Outreach Workers are college-age and go through extensive training to effectively deliver the M.A.R.S. program to teens and young adults.
Mission
The mission of M.A.R.S. is to support men in taking a responsible role in promoting equality and cooperation in relationships, pregnancy and infection (STI/HIV) prevention, and overcoming stereotypical gender roles.
Goal
The goal of the M.A.R.S. program is to increase male involvement in responsible decision-making regarding sexual health among males. We believe this can be accomplished by helping men learn more about reproductive health in a safe environment from positive role models.
Theory of Reasoned Action
Based on the Theory of Reasoned Action, our behaviors result from our intention to perform actions. This theory is a model for looking at behavior, emphasizing the importance of our intention behind our actions. M.A.R.S. uses this theory as a foundation from which to address behavior change. M.A.R.S. aims to engage young adults, and empower them to make healthy, well informed decisions.
Federally Funded Program
M.A.R.S. is one of fifteen federally funded programs across the nation centered on increasing male involvement in reproductive health. In 2003 M.A.R.S. received a five-year $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Office of Population Affairs.
Why Focus on Males?
Males have unique reproductive and sexual health needs that historically have not been addressed. Over the past thirty years, on average only 2-4% of the federally funded Title X family planning clinic patients have been males (Department of Health and Human Services, 2003). We believe males need to be treated as individuals. Addressing men's reproductive and sexual health needs benefits more than just the men we reach. It also benefits their partners, friends, and family members. M.A.R.S. is not alone when it comes to the male involvement movement - there are other groups across the nation striving to achieve the same goal. To learn more about other male involvement programs, click on this link: Male Involvement Programs.
How M.A.R.S. Works
M.A.R.S. offers three services to the community:
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M.A.R.S. Sexual Health Educational Outreach (M.A.R.S. Classes):
M.A.R.S. Outreach Workers facilitate activities and discussions with young men and women age 13-25, over a range of topics affecting sexual health. The M.A.R.S. curriculum has been implemented in various classes at Oregon State University, all Benton County high schools, and alternative education settings such as the Benton County Juvenile Department, YES House and Children's Farm Home. (For more information click here: For Educators). -
M.A.R.S. Clinical Education Appointments (Individual Education Incentive Program):
M.A.R.S. offers an opportunity for young men in Benton County to attend a free "M.A.R.S. Appointment" at the following locations:- Benton Family Medicine
- Monroe Family Medicine
- Alsea Rural Health Care
- Oregon State University's Student Health Services*
* limited to OSU students - Deschutes County Health Department
- Jackson County Health and Human Services
- Southern Oregon University Student Health and Wellness Center*
* limited to SOU students - Marion County Health Department (appointments available soon!)
- Multnomah County Health Department (appointments available soon!)
- Relationships
- Testicular self-exams
- General questions and concerns regarding sexual health
- Abstinence and other contraception methods
- Information on sexually transmitted infections and how to protect yourself and your partner
*$20 for initial M.A.R.S. appointment and $10 for completing each of three follow-up surveys
To schedule a M.A.R.S. appointment at a location near you, call:-
Benton Family Medicine
541.766.6835 -
Monroe Family Medicine
541.847.5143 -
Alsea Rural Health Care
541.487.7116 -
OSU Student Health Services*
541.737.2775
* limited to OSU students -
Deschutes County Health Department
541.322.7467 -
Jackson County Health and Human Services
541.744.8001 -
Southern Oregon University Student Health and Wellness Center*
541.744.8001
* limited to SOU students -
Marion County Health Department (appointments available soon!)
503.361.2659 -
Multnomah County Health Department (appointments available soon!)
503.988.3030
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Female Referral Program
Even though M.A.R.S. is a sexual health education program designed specifically for males, we believe it is important to also address the sexual health needs and concerns of females. For this reason, we have created the M.A.R.S. Female Referral Program.
Step One: Pick up a M.A.R.S. Female Referral Program Packet and follow the simple instructions to enroll. Packets are available at:- Oregon State University Student Health Services (Health Promotion Office, Rm. 310)
* limited to OSU Students - The Women's Center at Oregon State University
- Benton County Health Department (Call 541.766.6033)
Step Three: You receive up to $30 in gift cards from Fred Meyer when the guys you refer to M.A.R.S. come in for their appointment
*$10 for each male referred
The objective of the Female Referral Program is to reward females for encouraging their male friends, partners, and family members to learn about healthy relationships, communication and sexual health through M.A.R.S. appointments.
M.A.R.S. is Growing!
M.A.R.S. has expanded to Deschutes, Jackson, Marion, and Multnomah Counties!
In 2005, Region X Office of Family Planning Special Projects funds allowed Deschutes and Jackson Counties to offer the M.A.R.S. Program to meet the sexual health needs of males in those counties.
These funds were renewed in July 2006.
In 2007, MARS expanded to Marion and Multnomah counties. These counties will tailor program services to meet the needs of high-risk populations, including young Latinos, urban African American males and incarcerated youth.
The M.A.R.S. program implementation in Deschutes and Jackson Counties is consistent with the founding Benton County.
For additional information about M.A.R.S. in Deschtues, Jackson, Marion and Multnomah Counties, please contact:
Deschutes County Health Department
Rebeckah Berry
M.A.R.S. and STARS Coordinator, Health Educator
541.322.7434
rebeckah_berry@co.deschutes.or.usJackson County Health and Human Services
Jane Stevenson
Community Health Educator and M.A.R.S. Program Coordinator
541.774.8021
stevenjs@jacskoncounty.orgMarion County Health Department
Karen Helikson
M.A.R.S. Program Coordinator and HIV Prevention Coordinator
503.361.2659
khelikson@co.marion.or.usMultnomah County Health Department
Charlene Addy McGee
M.A.R.S. Program Coordinator, Health Educator
503.988.3030
charlene.a.mcgee@co.multnomah.or.usList of Other Male Involvement Programs
Wise Guys (Greensboro, NC)
Young Men's Clinic (New York, NY)
Bienvenidos Children Center, Inc (Los Angeles, CA)
- Oregon State University Student Health Services (Health Promotion Office, Rm. 310)