Educating Youth, Saving Lives YOUTH OUTREACH ADOLESCENT COMMUNITY AWARENESS PROGRAM
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YOACAP
Affiliated with the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition
newsletter
In this issue… Our services
June 2008
Issue 8
Editorial
2
BART: Changing behaviors
THE RARE ANTI-VIOLENCE PROJECT IN THE 12TH POLICE DISTRICT
3
Southwest Philadelphia’s stakeholders partnering to decrease violence By Duerward Beale, MHS
New! The Southwest Corner 4 Stories of success
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… And more!
include... Interactive Workshops Drama Presentations Case Management Free STD/HIV Testing and Counseling Anti-Tobacco Youth Programs Counseling sessions for women infected by HIV/AIDS
Call (215) 851-1836 for more information
For the past eight months, YOACAP staff have been working with the Department of Human Services to better understand violence in Southwest Philadelphia. Using the Rapid, Assessment, Response, and Evaluation (RARE) Methodology has proven to work not only with HIV, but also with other public health issues. Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell with SW CAG members In July 2007, the Southwest Epic Marsha Wall, Eloise Clayton, and 12th Police District Stakeholders Group was asked to assist in Officers, Lt. Thomas Smith and Sgt. Robbin Himmons convening a small Community Advisory Group (CAG) to address the issue of community violence. This group met every two weeks at Divine Mercy Parrish, Myers and Kingsessing Recreation Centers to implement the RARE Process and learn more about the underlying causal factors to the ongoing violence in that area. A field team was organized to collect data. The SW CAG and the field team worked together to develop a plan of action to address issues related to the high violence rates in Southwest Philadelphia. YOACAP, in conjunction with the University of Pennsylvania, facilitated the entire process, where over 150 interviews were conducted, 400 surveys were collected, and four focus groups were facilitated as part of the RARE process. The SW CAG is currently working with YOACAP to develop a report to highlight the findings, recommendations, and the Southwest Community Advisory Group members at “A Day At The action plan that illustrates the Park”, held on June 7th at Kingsessing Recreation Center communities’ ideas to reduce violence. The SW CAG is currently in the process of sharing data findings and the violence reduction plan with the respective elected officials, other community residents, stakeholders, and business owners. Moreover, the SW CAG plans to work closely with the Southwest EPIC Stakeholders Group and other community organizations within the SW neighborhood to address the issue of violence. If you are interested in joining with this effort, please call (215) 851-1834.
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YOACAP newsletter
EDITORIAL
IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD The longest journey can be the most rewarding one By Linda L. Burnette, President & CEO YOACAP’s President & CEO, Linda Burnette, with granddaughter Avani. Graduation time is maybe one of the most exciting times of year for the YOACAP program. It is a period full of drama, highs, lows, prom parties, class trips and sometimes a last minute dash for those extra credits occurred during a volunteer stint at YOACAP. This is the time of year when parents send their thanks for our support or participants come home from college and tell us what an impact this program has had on their lives. This is the time of year when all those seeds planted in the hearts and minds of our young people bear fruit in a visible way. I can’t help but reflect on those who have contributed so much to our organization: Mr. Ernie Jones, who gave me the opportunity –and the funds- to begin the program; Ms. Gerri Mitchell, who instilled in me the idea of loyalty to employees, the idea that people work for more than money and the lost art of hiring from within whenever possible. Gerald Wright, whose love for the community and desire to be a change agent have been one of the forces that resulted in about 60 percent of our college graduates entering into the human services field. And George Anderson, the last true activist, who takes the time each cycle to teach our youth something of our history. When I look at the young people and their parents come through our doors one way and leave with hope, when I see a community like the Southwest Philadelphia one, organizing to bring change from within; or the eyes of a young man who most have labeled as lost, light up with the realization that college is attainable for him; or even a young woman who decides she can indeed wait for love, I realize we are having an impact., an impact that will affect the children of the youth we are providing services for generations.
As we move into our 19th year of existence, YOACAP would like to take this time to say Thank You to those people who have helped us help our community. It does indeed take a village, and how blessed we are to be a part of this one.
TERMS OF ENDEARMENT A YOACAP Alumni’s mother writes kind words of appreciation to our President & CEO, Linda Burnette. Good afternoon Ms. Burnette, I'm Queia Young's mother (“Miracle”), Marquita. I just wanted to let you know that I really love and believe in the mission the Lord has given you through this program and I support you and it completely. If there's anything you need that I'm able to do to more tangibly support, let me know. I may be able to volunteer. Queia is in her Senior year at Spelman College (*), beginning in August. Keith Wallace is also in his Senior year at Morehouse and he's spending his Senior year in London. He's participating in a program through his school regarding filmmaking (if I'm not mistaken). They both are doing well in school and in life choices. And you played a large role in that. The training, time and love that you poured into the youth that have gone through your program was like a seed planted and was very well received by them. Then, you taught them to go back into the community and share their wealth of knowledge with others for their betterment. They enjoyed themselves, developed socially, matured, prepared for their own futures, and were able to see dangers prior to falling blindly into life traps. Thank you!!! Thank you!!! Thank you!!! Many thanks to you, Miss Burnette, and to all your staff, for the hours of prayer, preparation, caring and training. Numerous lives have been touched and as these children have grown up and meet other people throughout their lives, they will carry the messages instilled in them and will share good values, wise decisions, respect, and love for themselves and others they meet. God bless you and your program always. Sincerely,
Marquita Blake
(*) Queia Young graduated from Spelman College in May 2008. (This letter is dated July 11, 2007.)
Queia Young
YOACAP newsletter
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Becoming a responsible teen CHANGING BEHAVIORS THAT SAVE LIVES By Tameka Matthews, MHS
Courtesy of Blueprint For A Safer Philadelphia
Becoming A Responsible Teen (BART) is a program designed to reduce adolescents’ risk for Sexual Transmitted Infections (STIs). Research has been conducted in urban cities throughout the United States to determine how effective BART is in educating youth about STIs. Youth who participated in the BART program reported significantly greater YOACAP’s Unit Leader and BART Facilitator, Tamecondom use and significantly lower frequency of unprotected intercourse. ka Matthews (top center), with high school students at Abstinent youth who participated in the intervention significantly Strawberry Mansion High School. delayed sexual onset. YOACAP adopted the program model in 2001 and tailored it to fit the needs of Philadelphia’s African American adolescents as well as other cultural groups who have reportedly high rates of STIs. BART consists of 13 weekly educational and behavioral skills sessions. These sessions include AIDS education, sexual decisions and values, technical competency skills, social competency skills, cognitive competency skills, and social support and empowerment. At the end of BART, the youth participants receive certificates of completion as well as a pizza party to reward their efforts. YOACAP has implemented the BART program in several Philadelphia middle and high schools, including Audenried and Gratz High Schools, to name a few. Presently, YOACAP operates the BART program at Strawberry Mansion and Bodine High Schools. At Strawberry Mansion, school nurse Judy Williamson has been instrumental in YOACAP’s ability to provide BART activities to 70 ninth-grade students. In addition, High School students showing their YOACAP has reached approximately 100 youth between the ages of 14 - 18 with BART BART certificates of completion. activities at Bodine High School. Many of these youth who participated within BART indicated having increased knowledge of HIV, increased condom usage, reduced sexual partners, or delayed sexual intercourse. HIV and other STIs are disproportionately affecting adolescents; therefore, it is important to reach youth in early adolescent ages to prevent and/or reduce the acquisition or transmission of STIs. Furthermore, all youth between the ages of 14 – 24 are at increased risk of acquiring a STI, making it crucial that youth have access to prevention education throughout Philadelphia’s middle and high schools.
BLUEPRINT FOR CHANGE Shaw and Comegys Middle Schools are now part of the Blueprint for A Safer Philadelphia By Staff YOACAP is partnering with the Blueprint for a Safer Philadelphia to target two schools in Southwest Philadelphia. The goal of the Blueprint is to provide youth development activities and Life Skills’ interventions in specific neighborhoods in Philadelphia, such as Cobbs Creek (Southwest Philadelphia) and Passyunk (South Philadelphia).
YOACAP’s Southwest Philadelphia Team is now working in two middle schools for the Blueprint remainder of the school year: Shaw and Comegys. Their goal is to work within these schools with facilitators & YOACAP 130 students for approximate 15 weeks to increase their social and communication skills. staff, Fred Area Leaders Diane Mills and Fred Burnette are closely working with teachers, principals, Burnette parents, and other collaborators to engage youth to be creative, while learning. Journaling, essay (above) and Diane Mills contests, role-play activities and interactive media (such as videos) are being incorporated into these skill-building sessions as a way for youth to better express their ideas. Through these activities, youth will have the opportunity to engage with other positive adults, such as law enforcement authorities, business owners, and entrepreneurs. To be included on the tour of schools to be reached in the near future, please call (215) 851-1834.
YOACAP newsletter
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T H E S O U T H W E S T C O R N E R
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n June 8th, 2007, the City of Philadelphia and its Division of Social Services announced a community driven collaboration with YOACAP to better understand violence in Southwest Philadelphia. This initiative design is based on the Rapid Assessment Response and Evaluation (RARE) Model and brought together community residents, stakeholders of Southwest Philadelphia, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Health, Department of Behavioral Health, the University of Pennsylvania, and YOACAP. This is the first time that the RARE methodology is being utilized to understand the public health problem of violence in the City of Brotherly Love. This project is working specifically in Southwest Philadelphia between 56th and 72nd Streets, Chester to Linmore Avenues. The first Community Advisory Group meeting took place on Tuesday, July 10 th, 2007, at Francis Myers Recreation Center, at 58th & Kingsessing Avenue. For more information about this project, please contact YOACAP at (215) 851-1834.
KINGSESSING AND MYERS JOINING FORCES FOR RARE IN SOUTHWEST PHILLY By Staff Since March 2008, individuals from Myers exposed to track and field, cross country, and and Kingsessing Recreation indoor track. Flag football will target Centers, the Southwest Curfew boys and girls, between the ages of 5 Center, and Bartram Beacon have to 14 years of age. Youth will be been meeting weekly as part of able to play flag or contact (tackle) the SW Youth Development football. Coed basketball will start Network. From these meetings, in the fall for ages 10 through 16; there have been several major and baseball will begin in October Andre Crews and activities that have been devel2008 for boys and girls. Constance Harris Crews, Directors of the Jayhawks oped as part of the Kingsessing YOACAP will coordinate Youth Association, and and Myers Collaborative, which educational services for the parents Daryl Nelson, Supervisor at will expand to include activities and the youth participants while they Myers Recreation Center for children and youth of all ages are engaged in the network. For more throughout Southwest Philladelphia. information on how to get your child involved The Southwest Track Club will begin in with the SW Youth Development Network, July 2008. Children 5 years old and up will be contact Duerward Beale at (215) 851-1834.
GO JAYHAWKS!: BLACK HISTORY PROJECT WINNERS By Constance Harris Crews & Staff The Jayhawks Youth Association awarded prizes to participants in their Black History Project on Thursday, February 28th, 2008 at Kingsessing Recreation Center. The Black History Project was created by Constance Harris Crews, Program Liaison for the Jayhawks Youth Association. The test had 85 questions with an emphasis on family topics. There was no age limit and the whole family was encouraged to participate. Prizes were awarded to The winners, from left to right: Tamir and his those who answered the most questions. mother Kim, Kaschae, Dylan (back) and Torch. The prizes were lower-level Sixers tickets, Visa gift cards, and upper-level Sixers tickets. Prizes were also awarded to those who participated in a round of questions and answered the most. After the event, the winners and Jayhawk Youth Association members enjoyed a pizza party.
YOACAP newsletter
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PARTNERING FOR THE FUTURE Stakeholders and elected officials supporting the SW CAG initiative against violence By Duerward K. Beale, MHS The Southwest Philadelphia Community Advisory Group (SW CAG), as part of its community mobilization process, has met with many important stakeholders in Philadelphia, such as staff members from the William Penn and the Philadelphia Foundations, Philadelphia Youth Network (PYN), Blueprint for A Safer Philadelphia, and Philadelphia Safe & Sound. The focus of these meetings was to provide data findings about the RARE Project, to inform these Pic. above: Deputy Mayor Everett larger systems of the Gillison with SW wonderful work that is CAG members. Pic. below, from left to right: Legislative being implemented in Aide and SW CAG member, Greg Garrison, and State Representative James Roebuck, with YOACAP staff TameSouthwest Philadelphia, ka Matthews and Duerward Beale. and to develop future partnerships required to continue the social action phase. In April 2008, the SW CAG began to meet with politicians or their distinguished staff and other key officials from the City of Philadelphia. These meetings were also designed to forge partnerships that could assist the SW CAG to better realize its mission. Meetings were conducted with State Representatives James Roebuck, Ronald Waters & Anthony Williams; Philadelphia City Council President Anna Verna, Pic. above: SW CAG members Councilwomen Jannie Blackwell, Deputy Mayor Everett gathered with Office Manager to State Representative Ronald Waters, Penny Gillison, Congressman Robert Brady, Congressman Chaka McDonald (center). Pic. below: Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell (center) with SW CAG Fattah, and Deputy Police Commissioner Charlotte Council. In members (left to right) Marsha Moore, Constance Harris Crews, Andre order to continue with the series of meetings, the Coalition is Crews, Duerward Beale and Vernon Montagne at Kingsessing Rec. Center expected to meet with Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell.
MORE JOBS, LESS VIOLENCE Summer Job Preparation Workshops aiming to bring morale to the community By Staff YOACAP continues to partner with the Southwest Community Advisory Group (SW CAG). The SW CAG recently completed the Rapid, Assessment, Response, and Evaluation (RARE) Project concerning violence in Southwest YOACAP staff Alexis Bridges (top), Latasha Stone (top left) Philadelphia. As part of that RARE findings and the Coalition’s plan to decrease and Carol Brice (below top left) violence in their neighborhood, the SW CAG hosted several Summer Job enrolling youth for the Job Workshops at Myers Rec. Center Preparation Workshops. The workshops were conducted to reduce barriers that hinder youth and their families from getting jobs or being involved with projects like Work Ready. Job and training related barriers were identified from the research of the RARE Project. As a result, two workshops were held at Myers Recreation Center and two were facilitated at Kingsessing Recreation Center. Over 100 youth and 45 parents from Southwest Philadelphia were in attendance. The sessions included an educational portion about Work Ready and a Job Readiness section for youth participants. These seminars were provided by YOACAP staff during evening hours in March 2008. Participating families were excited about receiving job readiness training and the possibility of obtaining summer and/or year-round employment. Special thanks to Daryl Nelson, Constance Harris Crews, Reginald Moton, Andre Crews, Carl Burman, the Department of Human Services (DHS), and the Southwest Community Advisory Group.
YOACAP newsletter
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In The Spotlight... KEEP RISING TO THE TOP By Linda Burnette and Staff
Tameka Matthews (left) and Ryekisha Coffie
Two YOACAP staff, Ryekisha Coffie and Tameka Matthews, recently graduated from Lincoln University’s Master of Human Services Program. Ryekisha has been with YOACAP since 1989 and is a founding peer educator. Tameka has been working at YOACAP since 1999 and worked as an outreach peer educator in North Philadelphia. Both have grown tremendously in their careers and love working with youth. They now serve as Unit Leaders of the Behavioral Health and Research/Evaluation Units. At Lincoln University, Ms. Coffie’s project aimed to work with teenage parents to improve their relationships, while raising a child. Tameka’s thesis focused on the increased rate of recidivism among African American males between the ages of 13 to 19 years. Each conducted pilot projects working with teenagers at the Re-Entry Transition Initiative Welcome Return Assessment Process (RETI-WRAP) Program and YOACAP’s Project BUILD. After graduation, Tameka commented, “Lincoln has increased my self confidence and helped me to become an open system that is willing to except change to enhance my life and the life of others.” Ryekisha graduated with a 3.6 grade point average (GPA). Tameka was inducted into the Honor Society for Social Scientist, Pi Gamma Mu, and graduated with a 3.9 GPA. Together Ryekisha and Tameka work wonders with YOACAP’s BART, STD/HIV Counseling, Community Mobilization, grant writing, and resource development. YOACAP continues to encourage personal and professional development among its staff as well as participants. We are so proud of Tameka and Ryekisha and commend them on their journey toward excellence.
A TIME FOR GROWTH The William Penn Foundation supporting Project BUILD’s successful expansion By Tameka Matthews
Thank You! To Our Current Funders: Philadelphia Department of Public Health / STD Control Philadelphia Department of Public Health / AACO Philadelphia Foundation William Penn Foundation Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition First Hospital Foundation Blueprint For A Safer Philadelphia
We are proud to announce the expansion of Project BUILD, YOACAP’s youth development program. This expansion is being funded by the William Penn Foundation through its Children, Youth, and Family Initiative. This three-year capacity building grant will assist staff in better serving older youth between the ages of 14-18. The three main components of the expansion are to implementing a graduated approach in order to work with youth and to better ensure that they have the necessary skills to effectively assume youth leadership roles; the addition of a case manager to ensure that youth and their families have access to social services; and a professional development component for Project BUILD’s adult facilitators and mentors. During this three-year expansion period, YOACAP will target 90 youth throughout the city, but will primarily Family, friends and teachers celebrating Project work in West Philadelphia, particularly in BUILD’s youth graduation the Haddinton area, during the first year. YOACAP’s overall goal is to provide skill-building trainings such as life skills, job readiness, healthy lifestyles, and video production coaching, among other related educational trainings in North and Southwest Philadelphia We are excited about this expansion as it provides the opportunity to serve additional youth in the city.
YOACAP newsletter WE CAN BE HEROES By Tiffany Brown
Page 7 Pic. below: Exec. Director, Duerward Beale, with YOACAP staff, Virginia RiveroDescailleaux and Ebony Joyner.
Duerward Beale, Executive Director of YOACAP, was honored with the 2007 Red Ribbon Awards for Community Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania Center for AIDS Research Community Advisory Board (Penn CFAR CAB). A testament to both his character and the YOACAP environment, during his speech, Mr. Beale thanked the staff of YOACAP and the many supporters who helped him not only achieve this award but continually do the work that will Pic. above: YOACAP’s President & CEO, Linda ultimately save a community one person at a time from HIV and the many social Burnette, and Duerward sills that ravage communities. Beale. Beginning in 2004, the Penn CFAR CAB has held an annual Red Ribbon Award Ceremony to honor those in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Awards are given in recognition of a policy-maker, a researcher, a community member, and a young person who have made an outstanding contribution through their respective work. To quote the Chair Emeritus of the Penn CFAR CAB, the belated Dale Grundy, “We must, if we are to succeed, draw strength from the heroes who walk among us.” YOACAP has been recognized as being one of the proving grounds where heroes rise.
FLIRTING WITH SUCCESS YOACAP Alumni pursuing their college degrees By Ryekisha Coffie, MHS YOACAP would like to congratulate the 2007 high school graduates, especially Don Whitfield, William Brown, Laekisha Rowe and Devon Coleman. They have spent most of their high school career participating in YOACAP programs such as Project B.U.I.L.D. or obtaining work experience through the Peer Educator program. Most importantly, these students are currently attending college. William Brown (Will) began volunteering at YOACAP in 2003. His grandmother, Mrs. Margaret Brown, worked at the agency as an outreach peer educator, and she brought him to the Will Brown agency. Like his grandmother, Will has proven to be a valuable asset to the agency and the community. Because of his hard work and determination, Will has excelled at the agency rapidly, while experiencing personal and professional growth. He has been employed as a peer educator, a cast member, a BUSTED Youth, an outreach peer educator, and a youth mentor. Will was active in extracurricular activities in school as well. He played varsity football at Central High School, while maintaining a B+ average. Although Will is a freshman at Mansfield University, he still finds time to volunteer with his YOACAP family every chance he gets. Don Whitfield has also worked with YOACAP since 2004. He began volunteering as part of the BUSTED Youth Group. Don’s drive, passion and determination were the driving forces that helped him conquer additional roles at the agency. After serving as a BUSTED youth, he worked at YOACAP as a cast member, peer educator and outreach peer educator. He also represented Philadelphia’s youth at the “Rappin’ with the Reps” both in Philadelphia and Cheney University. As if that was not enough, Don has appeared in several of YOACAP’s smoking prevention TV commercials and a violence documentary. In addition to being an exceptional employee, Don was an extraordinary student. As a graduate of Edward Bok Tech Vocational School, he continues his education at West Virginia State University. Project Build students have continued to promote excellence at YOACAP and at school. Two of the “BUILDERS” are continuing their education at four-year colleges as well. Devon Coleman and Laekisha Rowe became Project BUILD participants in September 2006. They did extremely well in all three Small Learning Communities (SLCs) while in the program. Each of them received special recognition for their achievements and outstanding attributes during the end of the cycle celebration. They both displayed a great deal of maturity and leadership skills. Devon and Laekisha used their strengths to empower their peers. They used their love to educate Don Whitfield and encourage others to begin to study and prepare for college. They spoke to their peers about both the short and long term benefits of receiving a quality education. While they were at YOACAP, both students were determined and cooperative. They have participated in plays, presentations, and the “Rappin’ with the Reps” projects as well. These young adults challenged the status quote of all the young people they interacted within the community. Devon Coleman graduated from Philadelphia Christian Academy High School and is currently a freshman at Lincoln University. Laekisha Rowe graduated from Hallehan Catholic High School for Girls and is currently a freshman at Hampton University. We are proud of all of YOACAP’s graduates and wish them much success.
YOUTH OUTREACH ADOLESCENT COMMUNITY AWARENESS PROGRAM ******
1207 Chestnut Street, 3rd Floor Philadelphia, PA 19107 P: (215) 851-1836 / F: (215) 851-1878
Linda L. Burnette President & CEO
Duerward K. Beale, MHS Executive Director
Virginia Rivero-Descailleaux Editor In Chief Collaborators:
Duerward K. Beale, MHS Tiffanny Brown Linda L. Burnette Ryekisha Coffie, MHS Constance Harris Crews Tameka Matthews, MHS Lorraine McGirt
© Copyright. YOACAP. 2003. All rights reserved.
YOACAP’s Will Brown and Alexis Bridges
FYI:
Check out some of the most effective and current projects of YOACAP...
Educational Presentations : Small group discussions provided to areas schools and community centers on violence, HIV/STDs, Peer Pressure, etc.
Project S.H.A.K.E.D.O.W.N.: Developed to provide skills, education, and risk reduction activities to reduce the transmission of HIV. Provided as part of this program is Becoming A Responsible Teen (B.A.R.T.), a 12-week curriculum provided to school-aged students, 6-10 grades.
RAP Dramas : Plays written and produced by youth for youth, to provide education and awareness about the negative impact of social problems on urban teenagers. Support Groups : Support and peer education. Targeted groups include youth smokers and women impacted by HIV disease.
YOACAP’s Executive Director Duerward Beale in meeting with various stakeholders
Youth Development : Project Build, a 14-week program, designed to increase youth assets to support healthy transitions to adulthood.
Youth Civic Engagement : Voter registration and education for youth and young adults throughout Philadelphia.
Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drugs (ATOD) : Innovative Education provided to youth about ATODs. Life Skills, an 8-session skills building curriculum, is specifically for 5-8 grade students.
Michael Nutter speaking to YOACAP’s Project BUILD youth