Rites of Passage Newsletter November 2014

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INNOVATION

Y ILIT B I S PON S E R

TEAMWORK

UPCOMING EVENTS When: Friday, November 14th What: Free Dinner and Opera “Madama Butterfly” Bring: Parent/guardian signed fieldtrip form

by Wed, November 12th Where: Adrienne Arsht Center When: Saturday, November 22, 2014 What: Miami International Book Fair Where: Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus Time: 11am - 5pm Bring: FIRST 10 MEMBERS TO RETURN SIGNED FIELDTRIP FORM GET A FREE BOOK AT BOOK FAIR

“KEEPING IT ON” FILM AND CAST ON TOUR OCTOBER MIAMI DADE COLLEGE NOVEMBER ITECH @ THOMAS EDISON DECEMBER O-CINEMA

URGENT, Inc. Center for Empowerment & Education 1000 NW 1st Ave., Ste 100, Miami, FL 33136 (O) (786) 439-1544 (F) 866-811-7778

*Snaps* Youth Poetic Expressions

KOMMA KERVV Me and I’m Her Fooled me once!

Won’t let you fool me again!

We had something nice Didn’t want it to end Forever doesn’t really last forever!

Haven’t you heard that before?

You played a game you was perfect at and still cheated!

What was the prize?

Was I the game you played?

Well that’s over now you were a blessing and a lesson!

It’s so messed up!

My best friend to almost an enemy!

Because of you no other person an have me!

I’m afraid to be played with but tell him I am happy, but my heart is broken!

Thoughts by Komma Kerv

Dear Blue Rain, Why do some guys give insulting compliments?

Like he said, “you don’t throw like a girl.”

What’s that supposed to mean? But he said he likes me.

Sincerely, Frustrated Dear Frustrated, That comment may not be intentional and he may really like you without realizing he’s insulting you. It depends on the tone and whether it was sarcastic or not. This kind of comment is called micro-aggression. Maybe you could have a clever response like “you’re smart for a jock.” See if he laughs or not, so he gets your point. If he really likes and respects you he’ll apologize. Guys are not going to know if they hurt your feelings, so you have to tell them in a nice way.

Check out a talented 13 year old baseball star Mo’ne Davis in “Throw like a girl” a minidocumentary directed by Spike Lee. “I throw 70 miles per hour. That’s throwing like a girl,” says Mo’ne Davis. Her poise, confidence and talent is reshaping what it means to be and do anything like a girl. Mo’ne is featured on the cover Teen Vogue magazine this month and in a Chevy ad.

Watch mini-documentary at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q_PF3YyZsQ or search: Mo’ne Davis Throw Like a Girl.

Sincerely, Blue Rain Mo'ne Davis

What prevents teens from feeling good about themselves?

Members of Rites of Passage respond: Boyfriend Friends Parents

They feel selfconscious and it can give them health problems. #Truth

Comments: Scowling adult figure High school is a very emotional place.

A young man who looks down because he feels like he is not worth anything in life. He has no one to encourage him to do better.

Do I read my partner’s/friend’s texts or go through their wallet or purse?

Comments: Why is she looking at them like that?

Only at Edison!

Girls be like, I trust them.

LOL. Got caught slippin.

Do I snap at my partner or friend?

Comments: LOL. Need help #beabetterperson Girls be like, that ain’t none of my business.

What prevents teens from feeling good about themselves?

What do you see in these photos?

Members of Rites of Passage respond:

Theme: Abandonment Comments: Parents Friends Boyfriends  

Theme: Emptiness Comments: See right through me Lonely Despair

Theme: Opposition Comments: 2 sides of beauty Black and white lifestyles New darkness comes to light Look through my eyes to see my pain Racism

Program Highlights iTech @ Thomas A. Edison Educational Center Participants engaged in discussion about selfies and its impact on pop culture with a reflection on some contemporary artist’s portrait history highlighting Frida Kahlo and Picasso.

Thank you Institute of Contemporary Art for providing bi-monthly sessions. Genesis Najera expressed, "OMG, thank goodness I came today. And to think I almost didn't stay today. I learned so much!"

Amelia Earhart Park - Eleven participants “enjoyed seafood rice, music and dancing with the girls. I enjoyed a moment like this,” said Kervelene Saintvil. The Young Lawyers Bar Association Horizons Committee invited the young ladies to the annual mentoring picnic that includes law firms, associations and universities whom provide mentoring opportunities to law students. It was a fun filled day full of an all you can eat buffet at multiple stations that included a sundae bar. Dominique Vercilien “enjoyed the free stuff and ice cream.” They learned that are many universities in Miami that offer law degrees.

iTech @ Thomas A. Edison Educational Center - First 2 participants to return their complete enrollment application were awarded iTunes gift cards. Thank you ladies!

FILM SCREENING PREMIERE On the film set of “Two Similar Strangers”, story developed by Rites of Passage members and critically acclaimed co-executive producer David Frankel and Alex Moreno. Four young ladies were interviewed as peer health educators in efforts to promote awareness of HIV by using the short film as an educational platform to engage young people to provoke critical dialogue. This project was developed through a partnership with Promote 2 Protect who is providing peer educator training.

“Two Similar Strangers” is a short film about what happens when two teen’s lives collide when they confess a similar secret. They ultimately have to make a choice that could change their lives forever.

Red Carpet Film Screening Premiere Date: Saturday, December 13th Time: 1-3pm Location: O-Cinema Film screening includes "Two Similiar Strangers"

and 2 URGENT, Inc. Films under the direction of Jalen James Acosta: JORDEN ELIJAH KARINA CANNON WELLS PASIAN

DIRECTOR JALEN JAMES ACOSTA

SALIHA CRESPO

URGENT, Inc. Rites of Passage Youth Development Program

  What is Rites of Passage?

Teen girls find their voice to speak out against the threats to their well-being, lead community awareness activities, use the arts, culture and media to spur positive change and engage in communities while tackling the issues of relationships, dating, body image, life skills, risky behavior, education, job and career.

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Mondays & Tuesdays Time: 3-5pm Locations iTech @Thomas A. Edison Educational Center 6101 Northwest 2nd Ave Miami, FL Center for Education & Empowerment 1000 NW 1st Ave., ste 100 Miami, FL 33136

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Rites of Passage is generously funded by:

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THANK YOU COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Wednesdays & Thursdays Time: 2:30-5pm Location Edison high school 6161 NW 5th Ct. Miami, Fl 3312

P2P