Meet the Staff
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
Vice President Saliha Nelson Northwestern University Graduate, BS Programs
DECEMBER 2011
Manager Shedia Nelson Hawai`i Pacific University Graduate, BA Mentor Carla Stitt Tennessee State University Graduate, BS
on si g s i n s m you ns’ . nc er a . , I ow p tr ties t n p el i ge em o h un r m U to s t is ind com m rm fo
RITES
OF PA SSAG E
Inside this issue: Upcoming Events News stories
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Snaps
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Advice Column Calendar
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UPCOMING EVENTS
What: Museum of Contemporary Art Women on the Rise When: Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Time: 3-5pm Where: Booker T. Washington Senior high school Activity: Celebration of contemporary women artist with historical reference and visual art project incorporating conventional and unconventional media like photography and experimental multi-media collages. ART PROJECTS
Reproductive Justice Initiative Conceptual Photography Exhibit Includes “She Kept Her Bra On” play excerpt performance When: Friday, Dec. 2nd for Art Basel in collaboration with Transformer Art Installation Community Fundraiser & When: Thursday, Dec. 8th at O Cinema More details on pg. 2
When: Saturday, December 17, 2011
Hands 2 Help, Inc. Holiday Cheers Event Time: 12:00noon Where: American Legion Park 6447 NE 7th Ave. Earn community service hours Food, entertainment and gifts!
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RITES OF PASSAGE
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 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. “She Kept Her Bra On: Girls Stories of Empowerment, SelfDiscovery and Acceptance” is a powerful youth led original play about young ladies affirming acceptance of their body image, reproductive health rights, teen pregnancy and providing awareness of teen dating violence. Excerpts of the play will be performed. A must see play!
She Kept Her Bra On!
Girls Well-being
“She Kept Her Bra On” play A Collaboration with Transformer Community Fundraising for Art Basel When: Friday, December 2, 2011 Time: 7pm-7:30pm Where: Collins Park
Directly across Bass Museum 201 21 St. Miami, Beach 33139
Bra Fitting at Macy’s Aventura
What: Camping with Get a FREE BRA! Sierra Club Miami Inner City Outings
Come “See it Our Way” photo voice exhibit and see excerpts of the youth led original play, She Kept Her Bra On: Girls Stories of Empowerment, SelfDiscovery and Acceptance.
Youth Led Campaign
FEBRUARY JANUARY 27-29th
Rites of Passage young ladies’ conceptual photography will be exhibited Thursday, December 8th with youth led discussions on teen dating violence from their perspective on their photos and research findings.
MARCH Etiquette Lunch APRIL Career Tour
Thursday, December 8th Time: 3-5pm Refreshments Location: O Cinema 90 NW 29th St. Miami, FL 33127
MAY When: Saturday, May 12th “She Kept Her Bra On! Girls Stories of Empowerment, Self Discovery and Acceptance” NEW Play Sequel production When: Saturday, May 26th GRADUATION CEREMONY BANQUET
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
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Dear Blue Rain... Dear Blue Rain, How can you go out with a guy who has HIV? Sincerely, Curious Dear Curious, The person could reveal their status to their partner after building trust in a relationship when that person’s status wouldn’t impact about how they feel about each other. The couple could go learn how to have a healthy relation-
ship and how to be supportive of the person with HIV. HIV facts: In 2009, black women accounted for 30% of the estimated new HIV infections among all blacks In 2009, black men accounted for 70% of the estimated new HIV infections among all blacks.
of white women, and over 3 times the rate among Hispanic/Latina women according to the census bureau. Sincerely,
Blue Rain
81% of persons aged 15–24 70% of persons aged 13–14 In 2009, the rate of new HIV infections among black women was 15 times that
Fieldtrip Reviews Downtown Miami— Fourteen young ladies from Rites of Passage Girls Club attended the Miami Dade College Book Fair International. For many of them it was their first time ever attending the book fair who enjoyed listening to international extraordinary talented musicians Black Violin which is a fusion of where Hip Hop meets classical. Many of the young ladies jammed and danced in
their seats to their favorite Hip Hop songs performed by Black Violin. Marguerite enjoyed “their exquisite expression of Hip Hop music we listen to mixed with classical.” Kervelene Saintvil was happy to see “the characters walking around who we grew up with and took pictures with.” Downtown Miami— Five young ladies including peer educator Tanisha
Fleming and a grandparent, Elsie Hubbard from Urgent, Inc.’s Intergenerational Project. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the performances from the New World School of the Arts high school students choreographed by Peter London and college students from University of Florida. Elsie Hubbard appreciated the UF students who “danced from their heart and soul and you could feel the emotion and energy through their performance.”
Real Care Baby Simulation Experiential Learning during Winter Break Some young ladies from Rites of Passage will have an opportunity to learn how to provide care for a simulated baby during Winter break. While some kids will be relaxing during their winter break, these girls have chose long sleepless nights to tend to their simulated baby’s needs for 4 days, keep a record of all feedings, diaper changes and soothe baby at all times without any assistance from an adult or anyone else. They will provide full time care and must take their baby everywhere they go
safely. The baby can not be turned off.
Participants will: Have a realistic experience in caring for an infant in a safe environment with meaningful evaluation and feedback. Increase awareness of the time commitment and con-
stant, caring attention a baby needs, and the importance of having these skills before bringing a baby into the world. Build character, teach responsibility, and encourage healthy babies, healthy families, and as a result, healthy communities.
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RITES OF PASSAGE
Snaps! Poetic Expressions What it Means to me to step into my own beat
It means Step into my Life
My shoes to see now me and my relationship with my boyIt means you’re a friend friend is. The ups and downs. Best friend, boyfriend or family All the quality time we share and how every thing is going Who understands me Peaceful To consider my feelings and my Loving presence Even if I don’t have feelings
Loyal
But my emotions in the mood I’m in
Respect
In a relationship, it does not matter the color of your skin, religion and wealth. It matters in a relationship Your love, your protection, care, and loyalty because that’s all that matters in my beat By Anonymous Me
Caring
I’m beautiful I’m a person I am more than I expected I am strong
By Chantel Brianne Darrisaw A Ticking Heart in Time This is my heart ticking in time
By Zakilra Parker
The way you make me feel How you make me laugh
Treat Me This Way My Poem
Treat me with kindness And you’ll be my cuteness So treat me with love, honesty, trust so we can be together
I am watched over
The brightness as the sun and beautiful as a flower
I am loved
Be my love and my heart
<3
Treat me this way
By Anonymous
Decorate my love with nuthin but kindness, friendliness and love
Faithful
My heart
I’m unique
This is me so take it or leave it
Understanding
My love
I am me
If you gon be stuck on me then love me
Freedom
My Love
I am great
If you can’t get with me you can just bounce
And smile the way I can trust you and not complain The love I feel when I’m around you how you respect me and call me baby girl around your homeboys because you don’t care what they think or how they feel Romantic you are It’s hard not to explain This is my heart ticking in time and I won’t complain By Ashley Hill
By Alecia Denny
My Manual
My Manual If you’re with me Loyalty
Joy
Love
Freedom
Peace
Trust By Tatyana Wimberly
What I want Won’t Tolerate
You got to be all of what I look at love If you gon be with me you have to:
Smart Being yelled at Supporter
Called names
Queen
Lies
Appreciative
Disrespect
Love me 24/7 for the rest of my life
Violent Free
Cheating
Treat me with kindness and not with disrespect
By Daphney Timothee
Respect me for who I am and don’t try to change me
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RITES OF PASSAGE
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
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MOCA: Women on the Rise Art Pro-
Wo a t r ld D the New anc Ar Wo e C ts rld ele Sc bra ho tio ol n of
Barry University Campus Tour
Mi a Fai mi D r In ade tern Bo atio ok n al
ration Celeb of e c n Da ool World World Sch w e at N rts th e A
al G tanic o B l a ropic ild T h c r i Fa
s arden
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Rites of Passage Academy Girls Club Meetings Rites of Passage Girls Clubs!
Where: B. T. Washington, Sr. (BTW)
For Who: Girls ages10-18
Where: Edison Eduplex High School
1200 NW 6th Ave. Miami, FL 33136
Closed: Holiday and Spring Break, Teacher Planning, Early Release Days and inclement weather *For more information:
6161 NW 5th Ct. Miami, Fl 33127
When: Monday—Thursday
When: Wednesdays and Thursdays
Time: 2:30-5:00pm
Time: 3–5pm Rm: A-121
Room: 308
Work America, Inc.
Call (305) 576-3084 or
430 NW 9th St. Miami, FL 33136
(305) 586-6694
When: Mondays Time: 6:30-8pm
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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 year partnership
Mi-Lola—Miami International Latinas Organizing Leadership and Advocacy, 3rd year partnership IT Women— Information Technology, 3rd year partnership
Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA): Women On The Rise Booker T. Washington SHS, 7 year partnership
9 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.