WE SPEAK BU Play Raises HIV Awareness

National Prevention Information Network

WE SPEAK BU Play Raises HIV Awareness Abstract The Binghamton University Pipe Dream recently reported that Women Empowered Support, Protect, Educate, Advocate, and Know at Binghamton University (WE SPEAK BU) in New York recently presented their third annual “HIV Positive Monologues” to spread HIV/AIDS awareness and educate students about prevention methods. Students performed the theatrical monologues, which followed the story of four characters whose lives were affected by HIV/AIDS. It included the story of a young woman who had to tell her boyfriend that she had been infected with HIV as a result of mother-to-child transmission, and that of a married man who resisted temptation to cheat on his wife after they had an argument. However, the wife only admitted to her own extramarital affair after she had infected both her newborn child and her husband with HIV. The performance emphasized the importance of prevention to the students. Source http://www.bupipedream.com/ Date of Publication 11/15/2013 Author Sarah Novak Article Type General media Article Category News Briefs

Red Heels & Bow Ties World AIDS Day

Sell Tickets Online through Eventbrite

WHY WE SPEAK...

 

YWCHAC was founded on the premise that, in order to address mission focused issues, we need to address issues of gender, racial, economic and social inequalities and its’ impact on HIV, teen pregnancy and young women of color. These issues are paramount in the lives of young women of color and it is important to include as a fundamental part of our discussions and in raising the awareness, young women provided with opportunities to affect change in their communities. The information and knowledge sharing raise awareness in communities and agencies to further develop programs, policy statements, and future funding priorities that include best practices.

 

According to the Guttmacher Institute report, Nation Pays Steep Price For High Rates Of Unintended Pregnancy (May 19, 2011), it costs NYS an average of $749 million in tax payer spending to support young women who have unintended pregnancies. The state-specific costs from new HIV diagnoses in 2009 for total lifetime treatment costs of HIV in NYS totals $1.7 million (CDC HIV Surveillance Report 2009, Vol. 21).

 

Make an investment in a young woman in YWCHAC &
change the trajectory of her life.

 

http://www.nyc.gov/html/hra/downloads/pdf/press_releases/2013/pr_march_2013/teen_pregnancy_press_release.pdf

OPEN CALL FOR SHORT FILMS

OPEN CALL FOR ENTRIES• Short Films

Power of My Parts -A Film Festival For Youth By Youth is committed to showcasing the best in independent cinema from our young talent. Our Power of My Parts -A Film Festival For Youth By Youth Shorts category features emerging young filmmakers work in narrative short films. Please note these films must be under 41 minutes.

The Film Festival has featured past Scenarios USA films written and co-directed by young people from around the country and award-winning directors.

If you have a short film that focuses on issues that young people face daily, send us a clip to info@ywchac.org. Your short film could be featured at our 5th Annual Power of My Parts -A Film Festival for Youth By Youth in April 2014. Deadline is March 7, 2014.

MISSION & OBJECTIVE

To advance use independent films as teaching tools and create dialogue among young people about the issues that they face daily and to provide resources so that they can make informed decisions.  

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

Power of My Parts -A Film Festival For Youth By Youth  launched in 2010 welcomes numerous young filmmakers including most recently, Jordan Coleman, Mama Don't Play Productions and Jason Charles, Cinematic Empowerment (9 ½ Minutes).  While there are more than 1,000 film festivals worldwide, very few feature the work of aspiring young people under the age of 24 with a focus on social issues.

Power of My Parts -A Film Festival For Youth By Youth  is  much more than an annual event, the film festival supports the work that is done by YWCHAC which operates all year round to achieve the organization's mission of fostering the development of young women of color  in leadership, organizing and advocacy skills. The film festival provides a venue for exhibiting the skills that the young women in the program have learned as well as a vehicle to impart life-saving information that they can share with their peers, families and immediate communities.  

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Contact Kymsha Henry, Co-Director for ways you can be part of this amazing event.

ORGANIZERS: Young Women of Color HIV/AIDS Coalition, Pixod, Sundree Brand Management, Cinematic Empowerment, Social Cinemas, LLC., HEAT Program, Project KISS, Montefiore Adolescent AIDS Program, Legal Action Center

Become a Friend of YWCHAC

According to the Guttmacher Institute report, Nation Pays Steep Price For High Rates Of Unintended Pregnancy (May 19, 2011), it costs NYS an average of $749 million in tax payer spending to support young women who have unintended pregnancies. The state-specific costs from new HIV diagnoses in 2009 for total lifetime treatment costs of HIV in NYS totals $1.7 million (CDC HIV Surveillance Report 2009, Vol. 21). 

 

  Among the young women of color that graduate from YWCHAC, 

• sees a 100% high school graduation rate
• seeing 100% college graduation rate from the first 3 cohorts of YWCHAC
• sees 100% prevention of unintended pregnancies
• sees 100% prevention of new HIV diagnoses, & sexually transmitted infections

 

$100 Contribution	Provides stipends for 4 WE SPEAK members for a week
$75 Contribution	Pays for metro cards for 10 WE SPEAK members for 1 session
$50 Contribution	Pays for snacks for WE SPEAK members during 1 WE SPEAK Summer Advocacy Institute session
$25 Contribution	Pays for supplies for 2 WE SPEAK members

 

 

“When youth take action to improve their contexts, their efforts are empowering & also improve the contexts for themselves & their peers. The impact of youth action is cumulative, because youth who take action once are more likely to continue doing so & because other youth may be inspired by their example to take action.”

Positive Youth Development So Far, Search Institute

 

By making an investment in a young woman in YWCHAC, you change the trajectory of her life.

 
 
Thank you,
Claire Simon,
Co-Founder

#WE_SPEAK 2013 Summer Advocacy Institute

#WE_SPEAK 2013 Summer Advocacy Institute

The WE SPEAK Summer Advocacy Institute graduated newly recruited members from the eight week program.  They were provided with the skills to mobilize peers to speak up and out on issues that put them at risk for HIV infection.  WE SPEAK members were trained on advocacy skills and techniques to create a campaign to engage their peers 
in their HIV prevention and advocacy efforts.   


YWCHAC Alumni coordinate the 2013 WE_SPEAK Summer Advocacy Institute
(L-R: Jody Adams, Sade Powell, Rocina Dalzell)


Upon completion of the Advocacy Institute, WE SPEAK members will spend the year working on issues and campaigns discussed during the Institute at weekly meetings held on Friday evenings during the academic year.



Participatory Action Research: Outreach Day 2013

Akeem, Kisma, Rachel, & Symone
New YWCHAC members collecting surveys  in Crown Heights, Brooklyn

OUTREACH DAY in NYC

The Outreach Day culminates 8 weeks of the WE SPEAK Summer Advocacy Institute.  Newly recruited YWCHAC members hit the 5 boroughs to collect surveys that they created using participatory action research to gather information about their neighborhoods.  The data collected will be used to further their new campaign-

#WE_SPEAK for Change!



Samantha B. with volunteer: T. Davis
#WE SPEAK:  Collecting surveys at Port Authority




“Through civic activism, the ideas and energy of young people can contribute meaningfully as they participate in community building, work toward social change, apply their leadership skills, and simultaneously gain access to services, supports and opportunities that facilitate their own development.”

Youth Leadership for Development

Innovation Center for Community and Youth Development