Urgent, Inc. 1600 NW 3rd Ave., Blg D Miami, FL 33136 (O) 305.576.3084 (C) 305.586.6694 (F) 866-811-7778 www.urgentinc.org Email: Shedia@urgentinc.org
Meet the Staff Vice President Saliha Nelson Northwestern University Graduate, BA Programs Manager
MAY 2011
Shedia Nelson Hawai`i Pacific University Graduate, BA Mentor Case Manager
ews
“EMPOWERING AND REVITALIZING URBAN COMMUNITIES”
Zenzi Whitsett
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o Rites
Howard University Graduate, BA
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Urg en lead t, Inc.’ s pow individ mission uals erm is to en t c om mun t, educ hrough at it ate c e ollec y engag ion and meme tive n well -bein t to creg.
Peer Health Educator Magalie Gabriel South Miami Senior High School student
Inside this issue: Snaps 2 Awareness Theme 2 Upcoming Events 2 Resources 3 Fieldtrip Reviews 3-4 Calendar
5 Thank You!
for re-funding Rites of Passage for 2010-2011 The Rites of Passage Program is generously funded by The Children‘s Trust. The Children‘s Trust is a dedicated source of funding created by voter referendum in 2002 to improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County by making strategic investments in their future – because all children are our children.
Photo Courtesy: Mikelle Moore and Shedia Nelson
UPCOMING FIELDTRIPS
What: Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Women on the Rise When: Friday, May 13, 2011 Time: 3-5pm Where: Miami Edison Eduplex Senior high school Activity: Celebration of contemporary women artist with historical reference and visual art project incorporating conventional and unconventional media like photography and experimental multi-media collages. FIELDTRIP REMINDERS Turn in complete and signed fieldtrip form by parent/guardian No gum, candy, sunflower seeds, texting or MP3’s
RITES OF PASSAGE GRADUATION RECOGNITION CEREMONY
Saturday, May 28, 2011 Time of event: 12noon—3pm Where: Black Precinct and Courthouse Museum Youth attire: African garb provided Guests and Family: Please wear all white symbolic of elders Welcome family and friends in celebration of young women‘s rites of passage to womanhood through song and African dance performed by youth and special performances by Venus Rising and Madafo
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RITES OF PASSAGE NEWS
N:
O A R B R E H T P E K E H S
s Well-being: Acceptance Stories of Empowerment, and Self-Discovery
The Campaign for Girl
This youth-led and acted play brings to the forefront issues that threaten girls overall health and well-being while demonstrating the power of individual, family, school and community assets in strengthening girls resolve to make positive life choices. “SHE KEPT THE BRA ON” AN ORIGINAL YOUTH LED PLAY WHEN: SATURDAY, MAY 7TH WHERE: LITTLE HAITI CULTURAL CENTER 212 59th Terrace Miami, FL 33137 TIME: RECECPTION AND YOUTH ART FUNDRAISER: 1-3P
Photo courtesy: Mikelle Moore From Left back row: Christina Suddoth, Erika Cordova, Via Renay, Magalie Gabriel, Dominique Wells, Madafo Wilson, Commissioner Marvin Dunn, Henry Crespo, Jr., Terrance Cribbs-Lorrant, Alexis Caputo, Emily Gunter, Alisson Brooks, Zenzi Whitsett, Jamarah Amani, Tisa McGee, Brianna Saffold, Daphney Timothee, Mikisha Morrison, Suzanna Berger, Diamond Anthony, Rosa Wooden, Shameeka Cheeks, Drusiclla Prince, Shedia Nelson, Malika Quintero, Elijah Wells and Tanisha Fleming
SHOW TIME: 3-5PM SUGGESTED DONATION $10/PERSON Photo courtesy: Mikelle Moore From Left: Zenzi Whitsett, Tanisha Fleming, Magalie Gabriel, Diamond Anthony and Mikisha Morrison
Little Haiti Cultural Center — an ensemble of ten members of Rites of Passage and four youth guest performers represented from William T. Technical high school, Booker T. Washington senior high school, South Miami senior high school, Miami Central senior high school, Miami Jackson high school and Miami Edison Eduplex senior high school. Five monologue readers and special guest artists Alexis Caputo, Madafo, Via Renay and Venus Rising made this production an awe inspiring and heartfelt play that incorporated myriad forms of violence, reproductive health and advocacy utilizing art to bring systemic barriers on teen issues to the forefront. Commissioner Marvin Dunn was incorporated into the production where three young ladies presenting to him on how he
Photo courtesy: Mikelle Moore From Left: Zenzi Whitsett, Elijah Wells, Dominique Wells, Terrance Cribbs-Lorrant, Shedia Nelson, Magalie Gabriel
could support advocating for comprehensive sexuality education in schools where he expressed interest to provide support. A group from Miami Science Museum attended the play and one of the boys thought "it was really interesting, I thought I had an idea of what the girls went through, but this really made it much more clear. And it is way worse for them than for us [the boys, in regards to getting ready to hang out with the opposite sex or peer pressure type situations]." Another boy expressed, "I loved it, I even got a little teary eyed,‖ regarding what he learned form the performance. Suzanna Berger, volunteer assistant stage manager congratulates Shedia Nelson, playwright, artistic director, actress and stage manager and Urgent, Inc. ―on put-
ting together such a powerful production and for the sheer energy and determination it must have taken for you to play so many different roles - onstage and off - so gracefully. It was clear from the wonderful mix of audience members that your work is really bringing people together and supporting the girls.‖ Erika Cordova is apart of (MILOLA) Miami International Latinas Organizing Leadership and Advocacy who was one of the readers of the bra monologues felt inspired ―during and after ‗She Kept Her Bra On.‘ I am so glad I had a small role in this fantastic production, which was reproductive justice [using] art as activism at its best. I even cried. You have a wonderful talent and I am really proud to have you as my colleague.‖
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RITES OF PASSAGE NEWS
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART: WOMEN ON THE RISE ART PROJECT Nine young ladies participated in a mixed media art project with featured contemporary artist Yayoi Kasuma. Kasuma‘s art focuses on themes of infinity, self-obliteration, non conforming beauty and gender standards and stereotypes. Kasuma was assertive in promoting the messages in her art work. All of the young ladies created a self-portrait utilizing their photo and Kasuma‘s theme of dot accumulation and selfdecoration in creating their work of art. They used markers, stickers, patterns and symbols as part of their creation. Jillian Hernandez, outreach coordinator and instructor Crystal
Molinary provided a video on Kasuma‘s background and a digital portfolio of her art work followed by discussion on defining selfobliteration, inspiration of dot patterns, gender and beauty standards. All of the young ladies were proud of their artwork and looked forward to
sharing it with their families. Some mentioned that they intend to frame it on the wall in their bedroom as a reminder of their creative inspiration and how much they love themselves. Everyone felt they could contribute and were able to create artwork and brought their creativity.
PROACTIVE BIRTH CONTROL AT ITS BEST!: PREGNANCY SIMULATION
Mikisha Morrisin
Many young ladies in Rites of Passage have taken on the challenge of third trimester pregnancy simulation lessons with engaging conversations about financial responsibilities, early parenthood, reproductive health, minor rights, advocacy, relationship standards and boundaries, identifying healthy and unhealthy relationships, self-esteem, personal development and media influence of sex, alcohol and drugs. This program uses an experiential learning model to further provide a meaningful and engaging opportunity for youth to connect to the information that encourages youth retention. All of
the activities are connected to 5 challenge badges in areas of personal development, creating positive relationships, environmental appreciation, cultural performing and visual arts. The overall goal of each Challenge is for youth to gain competency in the skill area being covered through receiving, experiencing and teaching the new information. Once the youth has completed a series of activities within a particular content area Lokesia Moore through personal connection of technology, arts, home, creative arts, career, literacy, leadership and/ or service learning project, they earn a Challenge Badge. To earn the health education badge the members have to attend a minimum of 10 sessions, participate in pregnancy simulation discussions and
wear pregnancy vest and real care babies simulated lessons in early parenthood responsibilities. Magalie Gabriel confirmed ―I‘m not ready to Magalie Gabriel have a baby right now and not for a long time. I was ready to take that pregnancy vest off after an hour. My back was hurting and it was hard getting up and bending over.‖ Therefore this experiential learning model facilitates the youth's sense of empowerment through competence and meaning in life by helping them take control over their life to make healthy choices. Each youth are empowered to make healthy choices with critical consciousness to affect community social change; where teen pregnancy and environmental injustice no longer is the norm. No more than accepting a prison across the street from a high school.
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
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UPCOMING MEETING AND MONTHLY RECOGNITION Teen Dating Violence Prevention Congratulations Youth Advisory Board Meeting Cast of “She Kept Her Bra On: Girls’ Stories of Empowerment, When: Thursday, May 19th Self-Discovery and Acceptance Time: 4-6pm at The Lodge Earned Arts and Culture Badge: Transportation provided by The Lodge Monthly Recognition May Birthdays: * Congratulations * Top Most Dedicated Rites of Passage Members Receive trendy tote bag and butterfly member badge by attending 12 or more sessions consistently: Health Badge earned by: Malika Quintero Magalie Gabriel Drusilla Prince
Diamond Anthony Tanisha Fleming Magalie Gabriel Mikisha Morrison Modline Philistin Malikah Quintero Brianna Saffold
Career Development Badge Requirements: Attend minimum of 10 sessions Complete portfolio
Complete all career development educational materials Mock Interview Business Etiquette participant Meets attendance requirement as of end of April: Magalie Gabriel Tanisha Fleming Ashley Jeanty Kimberly Lizano Modline Philstin Drusilla Prince Malikah Quintero Aaliyah Rankin Shakia Rankin Aniyah Simpson Jamee Smith Daphney Timothee
Haitian Flag Day Poem by André F. Dossous In the blue and red the flag of my Country I perceive your picture I see your smiling face your soul dancing in the wind when the flag is waving. When our flag is waving on the top of its staff it proudly shows the world our Ancestor's courage
our strong roots, brothers. We must stick together to celebrate this Flag the image of Liberty the symbol of our Freedom. Come to praise our Ancestors Sing! Dance in orchestra of harmony Our national anthem Celebrate, celebrate brothers! Celebrate, celebrate sisters!
Ooooh Friends of Haiti! Come to celebrate with us the blue and red the Flag of courage the Flag of respect the Flag of Liberty the Flag of Freedom the Flag of Love that taught every slave on earth the road for Human's Dignity.
CHECK OUT SOME GREAT RESOURCES Children‘s Trust Helpline
Maternal Health www.ictcmidwives.org
Dial 211 for resources
Parenting, Healthy Relationships www.brainwise-plc.org www.copingskills4kids.net
Girls Adolescent Treatment Program www.villagesouth.com Green Living, Nutrition + Health Info www.vrg.org/family/kidsindex.htm
www.holisticmoms.org
Henna Art www.crystalinks.com/ henna.html
Poison Help Line 1-800-222-1222
HIV/STI, STD Testing Info
Women Artists – Marta Sanchez www.poetryandarts.org
www.alerthealth.org
Women Artists www.wemoon.ws www.thelodgemiami.org
La Leche League: www.llleus.org Information and support for breastfeeding, including local groups International Center for Traditional Childbearing: www.blackmidwives.org Midwifery training and infant mortality Prevention (MOCA) Museum of Contemporary Art Summer Free Journalism program Deadline: June 1, 2011
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Rites of Passage Girls Club Meetings Rites of Passage Girls Clubs!
Where: B. T. Washington, Sr. (BTW)
For Who: Girls ages10-18
1200 NW 6th Ave. Miami, FL 33136
Closed: Holiday and Spring Break, Teacher Planning, Early Release Days and inclement weather
When: Monday—Thursday
When:
Time: 2:30-5:00pm
Time: 3– 5pm Rm: A-121
Room: 322
Where: African Heritage Cultural
*For more information: Call (305) 576-3084 or (305) 586-6694
Arts Center—Coming January 2011 When: Tuesdays
Time: 5-6pm
Where: Edison Eduplex High School 6161 NW 5th Ct. Miami, Fl 33127 Wednesdays and Fridays
Work America, Inc. 430 NW 9th St. Miami, FL 33136 When: Wednesdays from 6:30-8pm
May 2011 Sun
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7 “She Kept Her Bra On” production
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21 Graduation Rehearsal
Haitian Flag Day 22
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28 Program Graduation
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