YOACAP Newsletter Issue 14 by YOACAP

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… July 2011

Editorial

Against All Odds

Issue 14

FLASH FORWARD PA COALITION:

THE BUDGET FIGHT CONTINUES By Mary Whalen

Community Partnerships Work!

Dispelling Myths

Senior Stars of 2011

A Proud Mother

Working for a Healthier Philadelphia

With Gatitude

And more! Our services include... Interactive Workshops Drama Presentations Community Promise Risk Counseling Free STD/HIV Counseling Anti-Tobacco Youth Programs Counseling sessions for women infected by HIV/AIDS

Call (215) 851-1836 for more information

Happy New Year! On June 30, Governor Corbett signed into law H.B. 1485, the state spending plan for fiscal year 2011-12 –there was less than 15 minutes to spare before the new fiscal year began. The governor touted the budget as being on-time and fiscally responsible. The Flash Forward PA Coalition, which is formed by concerned individuals –youth, adults, and seniors– and insists on having a voice in how our government On May 3rd, the Flash Forward PA Coalition attended the raises and spends money, recognizes the Rally for a Responsible Budget in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. General Assembly for passing an on-time budget for the first time in 9 years. However, Flash Forward questions if passing an on-time budget takes precedent over ensuring vital services for children, families, seniors, and working people. On May 3rd, 2011, the Flash Forward PA Coalition travelled to Harrisburg to join nearly 5,000 other concerned citizens to “Rally for a Responsible Budget.” During the day, representatives from Flash Forward visited leaders in both the state Senate and House. This included meetings with: Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia), Minority Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee; Senator Dominic Pileggi (R-Chester), Majority Leader of the Senate; Representative Kenyatta Johnson (D-Philadelphia); and senior staff for Representative William Adolph (R-Delaware), Chair of the House Appropriations Committee. Following-up on our day in Harrisburg, Flash Forward co-sponsored a “Rally Against State Budget Cuts” with the Southeastern PA Budget Coalition and Better Choices for Pennsylvania on June 9, 2011 in 100 degree heat at City Hall. Even with the extreme heat, over 100 individuals participated in the rally. They heard from nonprofit leaders and concerned citizens, including young adults. Speakers included James Bradford of the Philadelphia Anti-Drug/Anti -Violence Network; Linda Burnette, President & CEO of YOACAP; and Sharmain MatlockTurner, President of the Urban Affairs Coalition. Elected officials in attendance included Rep. Babette Josephs; Rep. Cherelle Parker; Rep. Curtis Thomas; and Rep. Ronald Waters. The message from all speakers was clear: the current $540 million revenue surplus should not be reserved for a rainy day, when it is raining now! In addition to reaching legislative leaders, the Flash Forward PA is also focused on educating and informing citizens in the Southeast Region of Pennsylvania about the decisions being made in Harrisburg. Flash Forward has held phone banks where participants have called constituents in districts in and outside Philadelphia. For more information about the Flash Forward PA Coalition or to join call 215.851.1989 or go to flashforwardpa@gmail.com.

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EDITORIAL

I HAVE A VOICE By Tiffany Brown Dominique It has been 30 years since the first reported cases of AIDS. Meaning there is at least one generation and, depending on how you define a generation, may be two who have never known a world without AIDS. I was born into a world without AIDS, but I definitely grew up in a world with AIDS. I found my voice early in the epidemic, early in my childhood because of AIDS. I was just a shy kid who when asked to speak about anything, could barely be heard over the sound of a pin drop. But that changed in the wake of seeing Ryan White on the news and visions of Oprah sharing people’s stories daily. Silence was no longer an option. Fear of speaking or fear of my shadow was no longer an option. Amazingly enough, that courage came at a time when everyone else around me was scared. That courage came when there were still so many unknowns and here I am offering expert opinion at the age of ten to anyone who would listen and to anyone who wouldn’t. It was simple to me. You treat people with dignity and respect. You educate to prevent anyone from getting sick. You care for those who are sick. It has been 30 years and in that time, there has been some name and policy changes, the faces of the people who have HIV has changed, the number of people with and have died of AIDS has grown, stigma is a little less in some places, and acceptance is a little more. People are living much longer, and we are getting some more exciting news about treatment and prevention with results from recent trials regarding discordant couples and the rate of HIV transmission being almost non-existent (HPTN 052 Study). We hear news of pre-exposure prophylaxis having encouraging results in men (iPrex Study). All of these recent breakthroughs are great to hear, but I know as close as the end of the epidemic may be, it is not here yet. Thus, it is still key to take heed to the prevention messages that teach us how not to get HIV. So until the day that the cure has been found and everyone I know and care for in this battle have won, some of the sweetest news I hear on a regular basis comes from young sisters talking to their girlfriends about telling their partners to use a condom or hearing brothers educating other brothers while sitting in the chair at the barber shop. I’m not a little kid anymore, so I do see the political, social, and financial wrangling that I was unaware of at ten around HIV prevention and treatment. But it is still pretty simple to me. EDUCATE! TEST! TREAT! And do them all with respect and dignity. The Black AIDS Institute has a greater than AIDS campaign where they ask people what was their deciding moment. Mine, 1985: When I realized my voice was more powerful than fear. What will your deciding moment be in the next 30 years of AIDS?

AGAINST ALL ODDS By Tajuana Wall Success in life is not an easy task. However, through YOACAP’s programs, we have been able to see that everything is possible when support is provided by family and others. Committed people can change and learn positively from past experiences. The following are success stories of a teenager and two men who are working towards overcoming the odds.* Jahlil Catlett (pictured on right) is a 16 year-old who lives in South Philadelphia and attended George Washington High School. Jahlil participated and completed Phase 2 of YOACAP's Project BUILD (Skills Building). He was later arrested and placed in Glenn Mills School. After only three months at Glenn Mills, he received his GED and the Glenn Mills Secondary Education Award for achieving straight A’s, and became a member of The Glenn Mills Bulls Club. Osiris Jackson grew up in North Philadelphia and is 38 years old. He attended and graduated from Simon Gratz High School. He was awarded a football scholarship to Potomac State College in West Virginia. Osiris was indicted and served 10 ½ years. He was released in November 2010 and after working various jobs, is now employed as a Forklift Operator with Burger Brothers Roofing Company in Feasterville, Pennsylvania. Chris Bailey, (pictured on left) who is now 32 years old, grew up in North Philadelphia and attended Germantown High School. During that time, Chris was incarcerated several times preventing him from graduating with his class. He served about 13 years in prison, where he received his GED. He was recently released and now, Chris is working as a landscaper at Moon Landscaping in Yardley, PA. * We will continue publishing new stories in future issues.

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A PROMISE TO THE COMMUNITY By Diane Mills Diane Mills has been working uniquely with youth and women since 1989. Today, she is currently working with African American women through the Community PROMISE Project. Community PROMISE is a program that addresses health concerns, specifically regarding HIV and other STDs among hard-to-reach population that is at a higher risk for these diseases. The primary goal of Community Promise is to increase condom use, condom carrying, and to increase drug-related risk-reduction behaviors. Diane works as part of YOACAP’s outreach team on its mobile unit to reach African American women in various neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia to distribute Role Model Stories. Role Model Stories are personal stories written by community members who have already made a positive behavior change. They are intended to help others who have made or are planning to make a risk-reduction behavior change. The Role Model Stories provide real life situations so women are able to identify their risk behavior and address the barrier to change and methods to overcome these barriers. Since the project began in 2009, Diane has come in contact with over 400 women through outreach and has reached over one hundred and seventy women with Role Model Stories.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS WORK! By Duerward “Woody” Beale, MHS This past Fall, Linda Burnette, Woody Beale, Kenneth Cruz Dillard, MHS, and Dr. David Metzger submitted an abstract to the Harvard University’s Centers For AIDS Research (CFAR) for the “Symposium for the Forgotten Epidemic HIV/AIDS: Crisis in Black America,” which was held at the University of Massachusetts in Boston, in November. The title of the abstract was Translating Research Into Action: Using RARE Outcomes to Identify Public Health Challenges and Solutions to Meet the Needs of African Americans In Southwest Philadelphia. There were over 200 people from government, healthcare, scientists, researchers, people living with HIV, and faith-based, youth & community-based organizations to explore as well as exchange ideas important to addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic among people of African descent in the United States. The meeting focused on four areas: Research (basic science, clinical, behavioral and translational), Health and Social Issues, Policy Issues, and Social Justice (civil rights, human rights, advocacy, empowerment). The abstract was one of a few selected, and the authors were invited to discuss Action Research that was used during the Philadelphia Initiative as YOACAP’s Woody Beale at the research framework. the Harvard University CFAR Symposium. Rapid Assessment Response and Evaluation (RARE) was the research methodology used in several census tracts in Southwest Philadelphia. RARE has been used by the World Health Organization and others in Europe, Africa, and around the world. In 2001, AACO used RARE in Philadelphia to better understand woman addicted to crack cocaine. YOACAP an the University of Pennsylvania, through mini-grants from Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in Washington and the Department of Human Services (DHS) in 2002, 2006, and 2007, conducted RARE around public health issues in Philadelphia. As a result of the DHS Public Health Initiative that began in Spring 2007 -and continues today-, the following outcomes have occurred: Around 320 guns were turned in to law enforcement; over 900 individuals were tested for sexually transmitted diseases; 260 youth summer jobs were provided; 2,700 resource guides were distributed; 20 job readiness workshops were facilitated to young adults; 90 youth were enrolled into youth development activities; 16 issues of the Southwest Corner Newsletter were mailed to over 1,500 residents; and, over 600 referrals were documented to SWCAG Partners. Community partnerships certainly work!

WORKING WITH LESS By Ebony Joyner, MHS With budget cuts looming and the economy changing, programs find themselves having to do more with less resources. The cost of living seems to increase, while salaries and resources remain the same or decrease. It seems that many organizations are facing the same dilemma. YOACP is no different, but we still have to maintain high program standards in all of our activities. We cannot lose our momentum or drive, or youth and their families we serve will do the same. For if we fail to persevere through these trying times, what example will we set for today’s youth who are watching and learning from us? One day the economic tides will change positively. In the meantime, we remain committed to our children and families and we must continue in our quest to change generations, one child at a time.

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STD & HIV ONE-TIME WORKSHOPS IN AREA SCHOOLS

INFORMATION IS GOLDEN By Alexis Bridges YOACAP has offered one time presentations since 1989. During these presentations, students are able to learn STD and HIV information in 60 minutes. Often youth have heard misconceptions about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as well as condom usage. During the workshop, students are taught how HIV deteriorates the immune system, different symptoms of STDs, various prevention methods including how to properly use both a male and female condom. Students are able to ask questions, learn facts, and engage in discussions about STDs as well as safer sex techniques during our one-time workshops. Some of the schools that we have recently worked with providing these one-time workshops are Overbrook, Bodine, and Antonio Pinto Charter. I’ve found that it is not always an easy task talking to a group of adolescents about safer sex, and some may not even be sexually active at the time, but may be considering having sex in the near future. After our presentations, students leave with a better understanding on how to protect themselves as well as others, and they receive information to make healthy decisions as well as the confidence to say NO if they are not ready to engage in sexual activity. Over the years, I’ve learned from youth that a lack of knowledge and information can lead to poor decision making. Some schools have scheduled additional presentations and provided thank you letters to show their appreciation. Here are some of the comments that students said about the presentations: “Thank you for taking your time and coming to my class. I learned so much about sex and what to do to prevent STDs.” “I am very grateful for having people like you in the world who care about people’s lives.” “The things that you taught us, we needed to know” ”You inspired me!” Little information can go a long way and what youth don’t know can hurt them. So schedule your One Time Presentation today! For more information, please 215.851.1836.

After youth are presented with the One-Time Workshops, specific schools request and are selected to receive the BART Intervention. These intervention typically lasts between three to four months.

B.A.R.T.

DISPELLING THE MYTHS By Ryekisha Coffie, MHS

Becoming A Responsible Teen (BART) is an evidence-based HIV risk reduction program. This curriculum is designed for African American youth between the ages of 14—18 years old. There are eleven group sessions, which include the completion of the pre/post behavioral surveys, getting to know the youth, and completing the curriculum that makes up one cycle. At the end of the program cycle, students are able to correctly use condoms, have practiced assertive communication, understand HIV transmission and prevention, including abstinence and discuss positive values. YOACAP’s goal is to delay youth from becoming sexually active and/or encourage teens to use condoms and to decrease their chances of acquiring a STD and/or becoming a teen parent. YOACAP has been facilitating BART since 2002 at local high schools, after school, and summer programs. After receiving BART, some students reported being able to discuss issues with the facilitators that they may not feel comfortable talking with other adults. During the presentation, we are able to dispel myths and misconceptions. Each student is asked to take the information learned and share it with their family and friends in efforts to create change. Once the students have successfully completed the program, they have a pizza party to celebrate their success as well as receive a certificate of completion. Some students continue with YOACAP as volunteers or are referred to receive additional services, such as one-to-one counseling. Other students come into the office for free HIV/STD testing and counseling. For more information on BART, please call 215.851.1836.

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SENIOR STARS OF 2011

A PROUD MOTHER

By Ebony Joyner, MHS

By Diane Mills

YOACAP staff would like to congratulate our high-school seniors this year on a job well done. We hear so many negative things about today’s youth that it is a blessing to be able to celebrate this major accomplishment: Five youth graduating from high school, and five attending college. Growing up is hard, and it is even harder when the odds are against you to succeed. We all know the public school system is not perfect. The children complain about lack of support at school. Some students do not even have text books. At YOACAP, we teach the youth to be resilient, focused, and goal-oriented. Youth have proven that as long as they work hard, stay focused and develop goals with support, they can overcome life’s challenges. Youth enroll in weekend and after school tutoring, they picked up a book and increased their reading skills and vocabulary. Some of these youth even stepped outside their comfort zone and built relationships with the same people in their schools that they didn’t think cared about their future. All these good choices helped youth in their quest to complete high school and begin adulthood. Whether they continue their education or begin a career, these youth know that as long as they stay focused, nothing can stop them from reaching their dreams. Our message to them is: Be determined, stay focused, and reach for the stars!!

Chyna Fallen—Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Indya King—Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Nadine Copper— Delaware State University

Nettie Welsh— La Salle University

Project BUILD not only works with youth, but also supports their parents. Machelle Farmer, mother of Indya King who participates in Project BUILD, wrote a letter to YOACAP in reference to the growth and success it has had on her daughter. “To the staff of the Youth Outreach Adolescent Community Awareness Program (YOACAP), I am honored and grateful to you and for you. The program has helped my daughter become more mature, respectful, and responsible, and has increased her self-esteem. Through the Book Club, she is reading more. Thanks to the Youth Council, she has developed more leadership skills, and her shyness is gone. The tutoring has increased her math grades exceptionally. Indya is now more sociable and definitely not as shy in her public speaking. I just wanted to take the time to say thank you for a job well done. I love you all and thank God for each and every one of you. With your love, caring and support, the program is a success. Thank you again and God bless! Machelle Farmer Project BUILD’s Proud Parent

Christopher Coffie— Millersville University

LEGEND ON THE RADIO YOACAP’s Executive Director, Woody Beale and Lady B of Radio One pose for a picture after a recent interview on WRNB. Congratulations to Lady B for having 30 years in the music business! Lady B is a music legend in Philadelphia, and was the first female hip-hop artist to release a record in 1979.

YOACAP’s youth development program, Project BUILD, helps youth acquire life skills necessary to build a brighter future, by strengthening their developmental assets, such as positive identity, social competencies, commitment to learning, constructive use of time, empowerment, and support. For more information, please contact YOACAP at 215.851.1836.

Indya with her mother, Machelle Farmer

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YOACAP newsletter

BAKED GOODS TO BOOKS By Tajuana Wall On the blistering cold morning of January 14th, the aroma of fresh baked goods filled the lobby of the Urban Affairs Coalition (UAC) building as YOACAP’s Freedom Readers Book Club kicked off the New Year with their first fundraiser for 2011. The members organized a bake sale to raise money to support the Book Club. The youth worked tirelessly in shifts to host the day-long event, but the hard work didn’t start there. The Book Club members worked for months planning the event, they mailed over 30 donation requests, and hand-delivered personalized invitations and flyers throughout the UAC building and neighborhood businesses. They received donated fresh baked goods from parents, staff and local bakeries. Donations included a wide variety of treats, from fresh baked challah bread and cupcakes to a homemade pineapple upside-down cake. As a result of their hard work the youth were able to raise $500. With the proceeds of the bake sale and a generous donation from Pamela Powell, the Freedom Readers Book Club were able to purchase books and materials, member incentives like gift certificates to bookstores, and to sponsor fundraising events. The Freedom Readers Book Club originated in YOACAP’s Youth Council in 2009. The Book Club is comprised of teenagers enrolled in YOACAP’s youth development program, Project BUILD. The members meet weekly to read one book per month together. The goal of the Book Club is to increase reading, improve comprehension and vocabulary, strengthen responsibility, as well as make reading fun. Students who are part of the Book Club attend YOACAP’s Youth Council various Philadelphia High Schools: Overbrook, Dobbins, Bartram, members (right) getting ready University City, West Philadelphia, Lamberton, Pennwood, Freire, for the Bake Sale (above) to and others. The Book Club meets weekly on Monday afternoons, raise funds to support the Freedom Readers Book Club, in which they also participate. from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to read & discuss the selected books together as a group, and complete vision boards.

The Freedom Readers Book Club would like to thank the following local bakeries for their donations: Denise's Delicacies (Cupcakes) Ms. Denise Gause 2916 N. 22nd St., Philadelphia, PA 19132 – Ph: 215.225.5425 Kaplan's New Model Bakery (Fresh baked breads) Mr. Jeff Solomon 901 N. 3rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19123 – Ph: 215.627.5288 Oteris Italian Bakery (Cupcakes and Danish) Ms. Keiry Irizarry, Manager 6323 Woodland Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19142 – Ph: 215.724.0793

We also would like to thank our coalition family, parents and the community for their overwhelming support.

FREE COMPUTER CLASSES For all levels and ages. Develop skills, access the internet... BECOME MORE EMPLOYABLE! -Must be dedicated-

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YOACAP newsletter

WORKING TOGETHER FOR A HEALTHIER PHILADELPHIA By Duerward “Woody” Beale

THANKS TO A FEW OF OUR PARTNERS! Department of Human Services (DHS)

Neighborhoods working with organizations to identify community needs and resources is what YOACAP has been focusing on for about four years. Through a partnership with DHS, YOACAP had been working in Southwest, North and South Philadelphia to better understand health disparities. YOACAP works with residents, provides training to key stakeholders, gets input about social or health challenges impacting these neighborhoods, and receives answers on how to resolve these issues. Some identified contributing factors of poor health have been lack of or reduced healthcare, incarceration, poverty, local policies, unstable housing, and distrust of systems. We have been able to develop strong coalitions that share ideas, vision, and resources to address these factors with programs that assist young offenders with employment services, STD testing, discussing marijuana and nicotine use, drug treatment, computer training, positive youth development, and referring residents to low cost health services. These are a few examples of how concerned communities are working together with fewer resources to promote health in Philadelphia.

Fund For Children—The Philadelphia Foundation Haddington Neighborhood Collaborative Henrietta Tower Wurts Foundation The Knight Foundation Philadelphia Department of Public Health: AIDS Activities Coordinating Office (AACO) Philadelphia Department of Public Health (STD Control Program) Philadelphia Recreation Department School District of Philadelphia The Seybert Institution Southwest Community Advisory Group (SWCAG) Union Benevolent Association Urban Affairs Coalition (UAC) William Penn Foundation

YOACAP’s Youth Council from Southwest Philadelphia work with the 12th Police District & CBOs to collect coats for families.

WITH GRATITUDE Special thanks to Youthadelphia for their gracious donation of $10,000 to YOACAP’s Project BUILD. These funds will specifically support the project’s Leadership Phase. Recently, The Knight Foundation and the Seybert Institution also provided Project BUILD with much needed financial support. Thank you!

YOACAP’s President & CEO, Linda Burnette (far left), with Youthadelphia representatives, YOACAP Youth Council Members, and YOACAP’s Ebony Joyner (right).

Youthadelphia—The Philadelphia Foundation

EFFORTS TO OUTCOMES By Lisa Norton YOACAP’s “Efforts To Outcomes” (ETO) System is up and running! This system has been in development for about two years and has assisted the staff in tracking important information about individuals they serve. The ETO system is a web-based client management system created by Social Solutions has been designed to help non-profits show other organizations, funders, and the general public the great work they are doing and how they are making an impact in the communities they work. YOACAP’s extensive health initiative, youth development, and community mobilization programming continues to reach individuals across Philadelphia. The organization’s new ETO system will serve as the central place to store all the information the YOACAP staff need to show clear evidence of all the great work that they do everyday. YOACAP staff, along with the Urban Affairs Coalition (UAC) staff, has worked on a data collection pilot project funded by the William Penn Foundation. The use of ETO has enabled YOACAP staff to identify behavioral data, trends, goals, and outcomes related to its programs such as BART, Project BUILD, Risk Counseling, STD/HIV testing, Community Promise, and more. Special thanks to UAC’s Youth Division for their support and assistance with ETO.

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 Executive Director

Virginia Rivero-Descailleaux Editor In Chief Collaborators:

Duerward K. Beale, MHS Alexis Bridges Tiffany Brown Dominique Ryekisha Coffie, MHS Lisa Norton Diane Mills Ebony Joyner, MHS Tajuana Wall Mary Whaler

FYI:

Check out some of the most effective and current projects of YOACAP...

 Educational Presentations : Small group discussions provided to areas schools, community centers, churches, etc. about issues like HIV/STDs, peer pressure, and youth development.  Project S.H.A.K.E.D.O.W.N.: Developed to provide skills, education, and risk reduction activities to reduce HIV transmission. B.A.R.T. is a 12-week curriculum provided to high school-aged students as part of the project.  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.  Youth Development : Project Build, a 2—3 year 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 10session skills building curriculum, is specifically for 5-10 graders.  Computer Training: For all skill levels and ages. Access to the Internet and become more employable are the goals.

WHAT HAPPENED IN YOUR DISTRICT HIV/STD Screening: 2000 Councilmanic District 1, 2, 3, 5 & 7. Highlights include evening and late night outreach at 56th & Chester Ave.; 62nd & Woodland Ave.; 8th & Lehigh Ave.; 23rd & Cecil B. Moore Ave.; 13th & Locust St.; 52nd & Market St.; 11th & Huntingdon St.; 19th & Jefferson.; 40th & Market St.; 54th & Lindbergh Blvd.; 13th & Catherine St.; Kensington & Somerset; and many other locations. Youth Development & Life Skills: 2000 Councilmanic District 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 10. Highlights include participation of Project BUILD’s youth who attend Bartram, Frankford, Pennwood, and University City High Schools; the Valley, Freire, and Hope Charter Schools; and P.E.T., the Maritime Academy, and Parkway NW School. B.A.R.T., Smoking Cessation & STD Presentations: 2000 Councilmanic District 5 and 6. Highlights include presentation being implemented in Abraham Lincoln, Rhodes, Strawberry Mansion, Fitzsimmons, and Martin Luther King High Schools; and at Myers and Kingsessing Recreation Centers.