AUBURN - While the United States teenage pregnancy, abortion and birth rates have declined steadily since 1991, each year more than 1 million teenage girls, between the ages of 15 and 19 become pregnant.

Studies show the majority of teenpregnancies in the United States occur between the hours of 3 and 5 p.m.

A Cayuga County census indicates that three teens become pregnant in the county each week.

According to Reduce Adolescence Pregnancy Coalition, Moravia and the surrounding townships have the highest teenage pregnancy rates outside the city of Auburn.

"We don't want to say that Moravia, Locke and Genoa are bad places, because they are not," said Annette Abdelaziz, Reduce Adolescence Pregnancy Coalition coordinator. "These kids live in the county and must rely on others for rides and things of that nature. We feel that the higher rates are due in part to the isolation of these kids."

Reduce Adolescence Pregnancy Coalition is sponsored by Cayuga County Health and Human Services.

The coalition is made up of community organizations, schools, churches and individuals with the common goal to substantially reduce the number of teen pregnancies in Cayuga County through education and prevention.

"It is tough to raise a child at any age," Abdelaziz said. "But it is especially tough for teenagers. A lot of times we go into schools and talk with the kids; the most common thing we hear is that becoming a teenage parent will ruin your life. We don't want them to think that their lives will be over, but we do let them know that it will be drastically changed. We try to strike that healthy balance, and above all encourage abstinence. We work with many 12 to 15-year-old age groups, and try to reach them before they become sexually active."

Studies have shown that female children of teen mothers are 83-percent more likely to become teen mothers themselves.

Such is the case for Louise Mudge.

Mudge was the first child of a teenage mother, she gave birth to her daughter, Haven Marystarr, when she was 18.

"I quit high school and went on to get my GED instead," Mudge said.

"I couldn#'t hang out with my friends as much anymore, and getting up during the night was tough. I was changing diapers all the time, while my friends were all out with worries of only school and the mall. That was really tough on me."

Mudge and her daughter lived with her mother and grandmother after her daughter was born. They continue to be a support system for Mudge.

Research indicates that the majority of teen mothers do not marry the father of the child. For extra money, many mothers rely on outside financial sources such as Social Services to help with raising their child.

According to Reduce Adolescence Pregnancy Coalition, teenage pregnancies cost Cayuga County taxpayers more than $622,000 each year.

"Haven's father and I split up about 2 years ago," Mudge said. "He doesn't help her financially at all. He doesn't even call to see how she is doing. It is hard raising a 3-year--old all by myself, but now that she is getting older I am able to get out and do more.

"I work full-time and have recently begun college courses. She even goes to my softball games with me. We make it work. My mom and grandma help a lot."

May is National Adolescence Pregnancy Prevention month, and many organizations are doing their part to educate teens about the consequences of being sexually active.

Reduce Adolescence Pregnancy Coalition, as well as the Finger Lakes Pregnancy Center has programs for teens within Cayuga County. In addition to the many programs for teens who are sexually active, or have already had a child, they offer support groups and workshops for teens who choose abstinence.

"If you are scared, lonely or would just like someone to talk to, we are there to help," said Hope Robinson, coordinator of the Finger Lakes Pregnancy Center. "We do care."