Rites of Passage May Newsletter

Meet the Staff

Urgent, Inc. 1000 NW 1st Ave., Ste 100 Miami, FL 33136 (O) 786.439.1544 (F) 866-811-7778

Vice President Saliha Nelson Northwestern University Graduate, BS

Shedia Nelson (C) 305.586.6694 www.urgentinc.org Email: Shedia@urgentinc.org

Programs Manager, & Newsletter Editor

APRIL/MAY 2012

Shedia Nelson Hawai`i Pacific University Graduate, BA

n is to missio s to ’s . c n I t, nd Urgen r young mi unities. e m w m o o p c em m ansfor r t p l e h

Mentor Terrance Cribbs-Lo`rrant

Rites o

f Pas

sage News

Bethune Cookman, BA, Florida International University, MS pending Mentor Casta Guillaume University of Miami, BA, MS pending Left to Right: Rites of Passage members—Samandie Douceur, Alecia Denny, Gabrielle Antoine, Jessica Antoine, Elouise Dawkins, Chelsea Bentick, Ashley Hill, Tapera Parrish, Deiondra Hodges, Tanisha Fleming, Bianca Novembre, Kimberly Larosiliere, Shedia Nelson (URGENT, Inc. programs manager), Kalea Walters; Center front to Right: Camille Jones (Passage 2 Womanhood Executive Director), Miami Dade County Bar Young Lawyers Association Horizons Committee members: Carly Hammond and Yolanda Paschal (right front, Chair of Horizons Committee).

Peer Educator Magalie Gabriel,

Photo Courtesy: Shedia Nelson

South Miami SHS Peer Educator

UPCOMING EVENTS

Tanisha Fleming,

What: Museum of Contemporary Art Women on the Rise

Turner Tech SHS

When: Tuesday, April 19 When: Tuesday, April 24th

Inside this issue:

Time: 3-5pm

Events

1-2

News stories

3

Snaps

4

Advice Calendar

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Where: Booker T. Washington Senior high school Activity: Celebration of contemporary women artist with visual art project.

Dade County Bar Association: Horizons Committee Provides Fieldtrip When: Saturday, April 3rd Where: University of Miami What: Career Panel Professionals and Mock Interviews with UM law college students

Kristi House: Project Gold Presentation: Sex Trafficking & Commercial Sexual Exploitation When: Wednesday, April 11th

Time: 3-5pm

Where: Miami Edison Eduplex SHS Camping with Sierra Club Miami Inner City Outings Where: Historic Virginia Key When: April 20-22

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SAVE THE DATE When: Saturday, May 12th “She Kept Her Bra On, Too: Girls’ Giving Voice to Their Power and Taking Action” Original youth led play production 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.

VISUAL ART SESSION Where: Playground Theater (INVITE ONLY) LEAD BY 9806 NE 2nd Ave., Miami Shores, FL WOMEN ON THE RISE 9AM-11AM Time: 11:30am—1pm

Tickets: $5/student; $10 adults Link Urgent, Inc.’s Core Values to become eligible for Summer Paid Internship

UPCOMING EVENTS Rehearsals for

Special Workshops

“She Kept Her Bra On, Too:

Girls’ Giving Voice to Their Power and Taking Action” youth led play production Cast Production rehearsals: May 1, 5, 8, 10, 11, 12

When: Wednesday, May 9th

Where: Booker T. Washington

SUBMIT 1-3RD TERM GRADES, NO D’S OR F’S POLISHED TYPED RESUME,

Presentation: Etiquette lunch When: Thursday, May 10th

Grandmothers’ Cooking Club

Paid Internship Requirements:

Presentation: Business Etiquette Part 2

When: Tuesday, April 24th from 3-5pm

COVER LETTER, THANK YOU LETTER COMPLETE INTERNSHIP

DEMONSTRATE PHONE AND BUSINESS ETIQUETTE COMPLETE EMPLOYABILITY READINESS FORMS AND RESEARCH ATTEND 12 EMPLOYABILITY SESSIONS

APPLICATION ACCURATELY

When: Tuesday, May 22, 2012

FIELDTRIP Bra Fitting at Get a FREE BRA!

When: Wednesday, May 23rd

Rites of Passage Graduation & Recognition Ceremony When: Saturday, May 26th

Women on the Rise:

DEMONSTRATE

Compassion

Art project sessions: May 16th

ALL CORE

Reciprocity

Where: Miami Edison Eduplex SHS

VALUES:

Mobile Midwife Presentation: Cervical Exam

Patience Responsibility Learning

When: April 18th

Teamwork

Where: Miami Edison Eduplex SHS

Innovation

Complete PORTFOLIO due APRIL 30, 2012

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

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URGENT, INC.’S OPEN HOUSE IS A HUGE SUCCESS

THANK YOU GRANDMOTHERS’ MENTORIN’ COOKIN’ CLUB

Andrea Fleming and Elsie Hubbard Left to Right: Shedia Nelson, Edna Addison, Estefani Arroyo, Elena Huezo, Nanotte St. Jean, Naomie Delva, Andrea Jean-Jacques, Jamesha Hall, Deborah Roberts and Magalie Gabriel

Naomie Delva and Chef Deborah Roberts Center: Chef Andrea Fleming is showing Tanisha Fleming (left) and Magalie Gabriel (right) how to prepare her original recipe Arroz con Pollo

Bahamian Steam Fish Recipe by Deborah Roberts

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PREGNANCY PREVENTION INITIATIVE

Left to Right: Shakia Rankin, Kimberly Larosiliere, Marguerite St. Julien

Left to Right: Bianca Novembre, Brielle Gibson, Aaliyah Rankin, Jasmine Clarke, Anya Wallace

Museum of Contempobility of their barary Art— by and received a Three young personalized baby ladies encertificate. gaged in early parenthood Marguerite St. simulation Julien enjoyed the during a art exhibition of fieldtrip to Rita Ackerman at Museum of MOCA where she Contemporary “liked the exquisArt. Shakia ite art [because] I Rankin chose saw a better side to simulate of myself.” After parenthood touring the art again to imexhibition lead by prove her parCrystal Pear and Left to Right: Marguerite St. Julien, Shakia Rankin, Aaliyah Rankin, Bianca Novembre, Jasmine Clarke, Gabrielle Antoine, Franenting skills.

Anya Wallace celine Pierre-Louis, Kimberly Larosiliere, Jade Laurent, Anya Wallace, Shedia Nelson and Brielle Gibson She improved with MOCA’s Photographer: Crystal Pear her overall Women on the parenting skills from 89% to a score of 97%, which Rise Program, simulate parenthood and scored 92%. She was the highest score among the other they engaged in better knew what to expect and how to simulated parents for this round. Kimber- provide better care for her Real Care baby a collective visly Larosiliere like one of the twelve ual art project with the assistance of top score Aaliyah young ladies who attended the fieldtrip where everyone Rankin at 100%. The scores are based on helped the simulated parents with providcreated multiple providing all the feeding, diaper changes, ing care for the Real Care babies (notice works of collecburping, rocking, safe handling of Real she’s wearing a breastfeeding sensor tive art. “It was Care baby. patch). good to see how As a prerequisite to simulated early New member Jasmine Clarke found “the all our drawings parenthood, they had to attend a 2 hour hardest part [taking care of her Real Care came together training, wear a third trimester pregnancy baby] was at night. I don’t know how based on the profile vest and perform certain activities teen moms go to school when they don’t kids’ interests while wearing the vest like Magdala get much sleep at night,” she said with a and talents,” Charles photographed to the right. All distressed look. Her overall parenting mentioned simulated parents had an opportunity to Magdala Charles is wearing a score is 74%. Brielle Gibson like Shakia provide care to their Real Care babies for a Marguerite. simulated 3rd trimester pregnancy Rankin wanted another opportunity to profile vest weekend, made a pledge of sole responsi-

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

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Sierra Club Inner City Outings Camping Fieldtrip

Respo nsibilit y RECIPROCITY FRIENDSHIP

LEARNING

Teamwo rk

TION A V O INN

PATIENCE

A Reproductive Justice Initiative:

SHE KEPT HER BRA ON! - THE CAMPAIGN FOR GIRLS WELL-BEING A Youth-Led Project for Social Change to Prevent Teen Dating Violence

development to include in the policy. I worked with Tanisha on the discussion on topics:  parent/guardian notification on Teen dating violence  Stay away agreement  Peer mediation “The Reproductive Justice youth-led  Teen dating violence handbook advisory council have reviewed mod-  How not to turn the perpetrator into the victim el policies from St. Lucie, Polk and  parent/guardian counseling inPascho county and provided a sumvolvement mary of selected topics what our polreporting issue - school related acicies are founded on. We basically tivities on campus feel that needs to be added to FL MDCPS policy. These topics are in This initiative is a youth-led project for social change that is geared to build awareness, educate their peers and advocate for policy changes that will help prevent Teen Dating Violence.

Working on developing specific language for ease of comprehension not free to interpretation. Youth reflective in single format in excel. Everyone is researching three policies to further break down,” said Magalie Gabriel, peer health educator.

Five young ladies presented their ideas and suggestions as it relates to the model policy for TDV that the MDCPS has been state required to implement. The school board member gave feedback on how well the girls articulated their ideas and suggestions where they could be a filter for ideas in the future.

Me at Rites of Passage Youth Empowerment Academy

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April Poetry Awareness Month Snaps! Poetic Youth Expressions The Voices In… Gives girls attitudes that acts like a barrier to their damaged selves.

They are seen as any body but not as one of ours. The tearing away from freedom, mother to daughter, hope for a normal life. Treated as an ‘it’ instead of a she. Used in any way desired never knowing what she has to say. Judging merely by what she wears, lacking knowledge of where she came from and where she’s going. To us, she’s just a thing, yet her heart is like a broken glass looking for repair anywhere she can find it.

Lost in a path that many others have taken before them yet all end up somewhere else with some other guy. They have muted voices disguised by the horrendous and vicious treatment towards them by people like you and me alike.

Just open your ears and hearts and listen to their cries.

By Elena Huezo Mirror You look at her selling herself you look at her and see disgust, disgrace, dishonor you look at her and judge her by her mere appearances never by what’s inside.

Never knowing that her pimp is there watching her every move.

She doesn’t want to be there. If she had a choice trust me she would rather be at home doing the same things you do. So don’t judge her, she’s just like you. She’s just like me.

By Estefani Arroyo Look at me! Look at me! What do you see I already know what you’re thinking I’m low I have no respect for myself that don’t have to be the answer. But don’t judge

me! It’s not what it look like this is not what I want let alone what I want to do. yes, I let somebody talk me down and let him say all the things I wanted to hear cause I wasn’t hearing it from no one else and yes, he said he will take care of me. He even said he loves me which meant the world to me then I did any thing to keep him happy then things got harder and harder from there I wish I can get out. now I’m near crying my heart out wishing this would’ve never start.

By Modline Philistine The world we live in can get hard to stay in. you don’t even know me but since I have what you like, you want me. I’m on the streets alone no one to comfort me so you fake like your trying with your words to try what people might say to seize me and because I’m confused it works you provide for me, feed me, and be someone I think you are, but again we’re in your car passing by many houses, seeing many cars, and we’re still going and come to find out we pass my stop. I want to ask where are we going but I’m too scared to ask all the money he just spent on me. I don’t want him to feel he have to waste his time. Especially if he’s the only one I have on my side right now .

I’m scared, I’m worried, but I feel safe a little bit or do I? I’m here for you, he puts in my mind. All of sudden he gives me a drink and I’m knocked out. Wake up in a room, where

am I? Then he becomes from being my hero to my worst night mare. I know people hear my screams but they don’t want to harm themselves they don’t know what these screams mean.

Then he gets his pleasure and now I’m back where I came from on the streets same old me. This is the world I have no choice to stay in.

By Kervelene Saintvil Tattooed Boy Body so fine. He has the body of a God, he’s 17 and you would love him too. Carmel completion, he has the most beautiful breath taking smile. Tattooed Boy with the nice hazel eyes. Tell me about the tattoo you keep hidden on your chest. The ink is so beautiful.

Tell me the story of how that tattoo came to be oh tattooed caramel, fine, body, hazel eyes with the beautiful smile. Tattooed Boy.

By Kimberly Larosiliere My name is Franceline. I come from another country. I came to visit America but a lot of people like me say they like the way I act. Sometimes people just want to act just like me. I’m beautiful.

I’m the most popular in America.

Everybody wants to live by me.

People love to stay by me because I’m a funny person if I saw someone mad, I’m the one who makes them happy. I am respectful, lovely girl. Thank you everyone!

By Franceline Pierre-Louis

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

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Snaps! Poetic Youth Expressions Beautiful My smile, My smile, yes it’s beautiful. My way of speech doesn’t bother me so yes yes I’m so beautiful people say this people say that but that doesn’t make me think I’m not beautiful my lips are big and full of kisses kisses are ugly and kisses are beautiful my toes are like baby doll when painted and not but I do know their beautiful as can be yes that’s me. My voice is from God himself he blessed me cause I’m beautiful I love my body shape no matter what others say I’m beautiful my personality is me myself and can’t nobody change it cause its special. The way I dance is really fun because I think its beautiful My attitude is my attitude If you don’t like it forget you but to be true I think being beautiful means your powerful so beauty is me.

The way I smile makes me beautiful My way of speaking is another My lips are also I have pretty toes but they hide in sneakers I have a beautiful voice when I sing My face, my body shape, my personality, the way I dance and my attitude

By Rosanna Desinor Confused To stop myself from going crazy should I go back or should I just make this money If I don’t he will kill me? If I do will he reward me? Where do I go from here I’m at a breaking point what do I do I’m known for do-

ing my job so I’m going to live up to it. No wait, I can’t, I gotta change my ways cause I suffered to much in vain. But I think I should go or daddy will be mad if I don’t, I will be sad It’s nothing new, I never had, so lets face the fact I’m confused.

Maybe tomorrow I will say no but right know I have to go.

By Jasmine Clarke Him with the pretty eyes I see , He said he will take care of me why? Am I stuck on these streets? Mad because I didn’t provide enough merchandise to the creeps that don’t recognize me as a human being. I’m a product for him. One day I will escape this pimp of mine, when he’s done punching me in the eye give me all your criticism from the clothes I wear or to the disease I share. I’m just a product to my pimp. I will get out this cold world and give my life back.

By Andrea jean-Jacques My abuse is your abuse My abuse is your abuse only if you choose paper or plastic?

He’ll say anything that’s sarcastic, like baby you’re so beautiful, gorgeous, outgoing maybe because your life is so boring. I hope no one don’t see me like this, like that, maybe because I’ve been beaten with a bat I didn’t do my job so I should’ve waited since I’m not so well acquainted. no one understands me they don’t know what to do when I’m hurt, when I’m angry I just want to go back to my family.

By Aaliyah Rankin Sex trafficking can happen to anyone even if you don’t believe you are vulnerable. Sex trafficking is very dangerous and illegal. Sex trafficking can ruin and scar the lives of young women physically and mentally.

By Ericka Cadet My name is Samandie in Spanish it means lost , In French it means hope but I choose the Spanish one because I come from a forest that nobody know me , hiding somewhere that everywhere I look I see darkness hope for no one to see me but I know I’m the only one that try to see the light and I hope one day people understand me .

By Samandie Douceur No one ever understood her…

Everyone wondered why she was so rude when she walked by All you heard was whispers Like why she never smile But she looks so neat and pretty So strong and smart at school But break down in Hell at home It hurts to know your mother’s boyfriend would do such a thing

By Tamara Joseph Little Lina only 12 years old she’s stuck trying to figure why the world is so cold. She pops pills until she gets rid of all the pain.

She’s having sex with a pimp who’s 19, her emotions run deep because she think she’s in love.

She’s having sex and not using any gloves. Living for today while doing sex trafficking not today but tomorrow’s satisfaction

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Rites of Passage Academy Girls Club Meetings Rites of Passage Girls Clubs!

1200 NW 6th Ave. Miami, FL 33136

For Who: Girls ages10-18

430 NW 9th St. Miami, FL 33136 When: AFTERSCHOOL Monday—Thursday When: Mondays Time: 6:30-8pm Time: 2:30-5:00pm Room: 329 Where: Edison Eduplex SHS LUNCH: 12NOON—12:30PM 6161 NW 5th Ct. Miami, Fl 33127

Closed: Holiday and Spring Break, Teacher Planning, Early Release Days and inclement weather *For more information:

Meet in HOTSPOT

Call (305) 586-6694

Work America, Inc.

When: Wednesdays and Thursdays Time: 3–5pm Rm: A-121

Where: B. T. Washington, Sr.

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THANK YOU COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Hands 2 Help, Inc.: Passage to Womanhood 2nd year partnership Sierra Club Miami Inner City Outings 7 year partnership Dade County Bar Association Horizons Committee, 6 yr partnership

Mi-Lola—Miami InternaMuseum of Contional Latinas Organizing temporary Art Leadership and Advoca(MOCA): Women cy, 3rd year partnership On The Rise IT Women— Information Technology, 3rd year partnership 9 yr partnership

Booker T. Washington SHS, 7 year partnership

Thank you for re-funding

Rites of Passage for 2011-2012 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.