MONROE, La. (KNOE) - A local program is working to help young girls in Northeast Louisiana build confidence and make healthier life choices.

It’s a Girl Thing , a monthly program hosted at Union General Hospital, brings together girls in grades 6 through 12 to talk about topics that impact their everyday lives.

The initiative first launched in 2013 after a community health needs assessment revealed high rates of teen pregnancy in Union Parish.

“We have been doing this program since 2013, after the findings in our Community health needs assessment at the time and the high rate of pregnancies in the parish and teen pregnancies in the parish,” Claudia Wade, director of the program said.

Since then, the sessions have grown to cover a wide range of issues, from cyber safety and mental heal

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