Organizational Mission: To help assist young men of color to navigate the social and economic issues that impact them “mind, body, soul and spirit”. We seek to enrich and supplement the lives of men of color so that they can be self sustaining and empowed forces for change within their respective communities. Intro: We are your sons. We are still getting infected. We are chained to your fears. We are still getting sick. We are still having sex. We are tired of your excuses. We are still dying. How many more infections do we have to count before you listen to use? Are 5,000 enough? Are 50,000 too many? We are demanding that you help us? We are hoping that you will help us. Please Act On What You Read. Why: For too long our communities have been plagued by ineffective and out of touch Community Based Organizations charged with safe guarding communities of color from certain extraneous forces that impact them socially, physiologically and economically. Unfortunately, these organizations, however relevant at there inception, are no longer relevant today. Rather then evolving with the times and community norms, these organizations become stagnant and in turn begins to poison the very community they were created to help heal. These organizations continue to absorb what little funding that is available to communities of color without any reprisal for there ineffectiveness, while at the same time, stifling any innovations that could change the course of community believes and norms that would cause the community to be less dependent on these CBO’s. We the community demand a summons of ALL CBO’s charged with safe guarding the community against injustice, poverty, mental health and hygiene, education and medical health for a community wide evaluation and if warranted, consolidation or decommissioning. We are facing extinction on a national if not worldwide scale and we the community have had enough. It is time we take our destiny into our hands once again.
(M.A.R.S) Each day, thousands of youth Gay, Bisexual, Tran gendered and Questioning men of color ages 13-29 are forced to leave home and live on the streets of New York City due to lack of acceptance for their sexual identity and sometimes suffer physical, mental and sexual abuse by friends and family. These young men then become part of New York City's ever-growing homeless populations. Temporary relief from daily stressors finds young adults involved in more drugs, prostitution, jail, isolation and suicide. This population has a high drop out rate from the educational system and without access to primary health care they are also one of the fastest growing populations of newly infected HIV cases in New York City. There are several organizations that cater to youth in NYC. However, very few of them provide services that specifically support LGBT youth. Research has shown that LGBT youth thrive and do well if they are surrounded by positive and life-affirming experiences. Therefore, MARS focuses on positive youth development by adopting an asset-based approach which acknowledges the skills and strengths that young people possess, while at the same time creating opportunities through which 'weaknesses' can be turned into assets. The M.A.R.S. Project was established early in 2002 to develop leadership among young gay men by providing a safe and nurturing environment where they can come and meet like-minded peers and to feel like they are not alone. Its activities are guided and supported by skilled youth development coordinator. The M.A.R.S Project strives to: 1. Foster an environment where Young Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered and Questioning Men can begin to address social issues that impact them. 2. Encourage participation in social activism. 3. Build a support structure to address concerns relating to mental, physical and spiritual "wellness". 4. To continue the social movement to help decrease the rampant homophobia, racism, classism, ageism and violence that affects these young men on a continuous basis. The work of MARS is accomplished by working towards developmental outcomes that stress positive self identity, self image, mental capacity to carry out tasks and inculcation of a sense of belonging to a larger community.M.A.R.S Project members are encouraged
to take part in focused training sessions on Community Mobilization and Leadership Development. The members that successfully completed these training sessions became the governing counsel or "Core Group". The function of this "core group" is to directly highlight and begin to address the growing needs of these young men in New York City as well as foster a sense of ownership, responsibility thru leadership and team building. The M.A.R.S Project uses a multifaceted curriculum that addresses community mobilization, leadership development, information dissemination, community planning groups and stigma and discrimination as well as the MPowerment Model that addresses social needs of YMSM's. Combining components of these curriculums with input from the participants creates a focused YMSM program that specifically addresses each member as an individual and the group members as a collective. An important component of MARS is that it provides an opportunity for intergenerational interaction. While the group is youth-focused and determined, The MARS Project strongly believes in the positive role that adults play in the lives of young people. Consequently, every effort is made to encourage both active and passive mentoring of youth members by adults and for adults to learn from young people. The principles of group dynamics have been employed to bring stability to the group, allowing for members to join freely. Demographical information is collected regarding each member's age, gender, sexual identity, HIV status, address and educational level. This information serves as "client" files for each member that specifically addresses the client's needs.
The M.A.R.S Project offers a wide variety of training workshops on: • • • •
Understanding Community Mobilization Understanding Leadership Effective Communication Stigma and Discrimination
The M.A.R.S Project offers a variety of recreation, enrichment and youth developmental activities: • • • • • •
Playstion 2, X-Box, GameCube, Dreamcast Web Surfing Music and Dancing Refreshments and Movies Cultural Outings to Museums and Theaters Recreational Outings and Youth Retreats that focus on self esteem and body positive images.
The M.A.R.S Project has formed linkages with area youth programs, shelters and organizations to assist youths with: • • • • •
Mental & Physical Health Housing Education Job Placement Counseling and Testing