STRONG Words - Spring/Summer 2013

ISSUE # 2 Spring - Summer 2013

S.T.R.O.N.G. Words S.T.R.O.N.G. Youth, Inc. 800 Jerusalem Ave Uniondale, NY 11553

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Rahsmia’s Message>>>

In This Issue >>>  Rahsmia’s Message  A Spartan for S.T.R.O.N.G’s 13th Anniversary  Highlight: Diana

Vachier  S.T.R.O.N.G. Youth Bridge C.A.M.P. Summer 2013  Latest News from the STRONG frontlines  Student Submission: A Word on Violence  Community in Action  And MUCH MORE...

When you have faith, hope and love for your community, anything is possible.

S.T.R.O.N.G. has endured through one of the hardest years ever and I’m ecstatic to report that we have come out victorious! County funding has been restored and we’ve been blessed with new funding partnerships with the Uniondale School District and the Women’s Fund of L.I. These new partnerships have allowed us to run our first ever STRONG Bridge Summer Program for incoming 6 th graders in Uniondale and continue building fearless female leaders through STRONG Girlz.

Programs been expanded and collaborative partnerships have been strengthened. Our work with Stress is Gone, Inc. and XMental, Inc. have proven invaluable in promoting our mission of empowering youth with the tools to build themselves and their communities in positive ways. I cannot thank my amazing staff, partners, and supporters enough for helping us persevere these past months. Together we continue to grow as individuals and an organization committed to helping youth and families rise above the challenges they confront every day. With love and unity even the impossible is possible.

S.T.R.O.N.G.’s 13th Birthday: Rahsmia the Spartan "Test your resilience, strength, stamina, quick decision making skills, and ability to laugh in the face of adversity." On June 8, 2013 S.T.R.O.N.G.'s Executive Director, Rahsmia Zatar, participated in her very first SPARTAN Sprint in commemoration of S.T.R.O.N.G.'s 13th anniversary and as a symbol of the strength and resilience exhibited by our organization, youth, and families in the face of adversity.

S.T.R.O.N.G. Youth Bridge C.A.M.P. Summer 2013 ST.R.O.N.G. officially ran its first Bridge Summer C.A.M.P. program this summer! The program, a collaboration with the Uniondale School District, aims to provide incoming 6th grade students with additional support and education to help them transition successfully into middle school in September. The C.A.M.P. program provides a safe and stimulating environment where underserved students can engage in social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth through activities that are both challenging and supportive. The program combines fun, high energy team building games, outdoor sports, recreational activities, and artistic experiences with more serious tasks such as workshops and journal writing. Workshops on topics like school, peer relationships, non-violence, leadership and community gave students a chance to challenge themselves to see how they impact their surroundings and develop critical thinking and leadership skills.

Aside from the activities at our 1.5 acre property, students were taken to see a Broadway musical (STOMP), the Bronx Zoo, Cradle of Aviation museum, Peace Day activities at Eisenhower Park and movie trips.

News from the STRONG frontlines S.T.R.O.N.G. Chapters program at ABGS Middle school in Hempstead has continued to grow, with many new students joining. We now service over 80 students in this school alone resulting in diverse and interesting discussions and play activities. Discussions topics included incarceration, gang violence, developing trust, leadership and healthy relationships.  March 2013: S.T.R.O.N.G. counselors and 15 students from our ABGS and Hempstead High School chapters travelled to Rocky Point Nature Preserve on Long Island as part of our Spring break hiking field trip.  April 2013: S.T.R.O.N.G. hosted a Speak Out at ABGS Middle School. This year’s theme: “Change begins with me.” Students explored different ways they can be empowered to initiate change within themselves and communities and become positive leaders among their peers. Students were engaged and provided impressive insight into ways they feel they can improve their environment.  As a part of our reward system, we are pleased to announce that many of our students have been awarded buttons and t-shirts for their continued attendance, service to community and dedicated participation within group discussions.

Hero Highlight: Our STRONG Star American Pop Art, Inc.

Diana Vachier – Owner, www.Americanpopartinc.com We would like to honor a woman who epitomizes the spirit of generosity and believes in the value of investing in the youth and families of today, Diana Vachier. Diana was a close friend and gallery manager for the late American pop art icon, Steve A. Kaufman.

After learning about S.T.R.O.N.G. and recognizing the similarity between our work and Steve’s philosophy regarding gang involved youth, she decided to donate “Real generosity toward the future 10% of all sale proceeds to S.T.R.O.N.G! We thank her lies in giving all to the present.” for believing in the power of redemption and in the —Albert Camus work we do.

Diana came to know Steve Kaufman after a period of illness. She began tentatively by selling a few of his prints on eBay but very quickly found it difficult to keep up with the high demand for Kaufman’s work. However, Steve’s passion for art and youth convinced her to work full time with the artist. She describes Kaufman as a “larger than life” character who was not afraid to reach out to gang members, drug dealers, and parolees loitering his studio in LA. Kaufman began a rehabilitation program in LA through which he hired more than 600 troubled youths and helped support more than 170 charities. After his death, Diana knew she needed to continue his legacy and chose to support S.T.R.O.N.G. because of our reputation for reaching the unreachable. Diana now resides in Long Beach with her husband and has two beautiful grandchildren. Diana, S.T.R.O.N.G. salutes you for standing with us in creating vision and opportunities for our youth!!

Breaking News: Special Appearances

S.T.R.O.N.G. students and Executive Director, Rahsmia Zatar, feeling inspired after meeting with American Express CEO, Kenneth Chenault

A select group of S.T.R.O.N.G. youth from Hempstead High School had the wonderful opportunity to meet Kenneth Chenault, CEO of American Express during an intimate youth roundtable event at the Garden City Hotel on June 5th, 2013. Mr. Chenault grew up as a resident of Hempstead and went on to become the third African-American CEO of a Fortune 500 company.

Mr. Chenault was pleased to speak with our youth about his path to success and providing inspiring messages and advice on overcoming challenges. S.T.R.O.N.G. Youth thanks Mr. Chenault for engaging our youth and supporting their dreams. Mr. Chenault currently resides in New Rochelle, New York with his wife and children.

Healing after Tragedy

Violence Violence, violence, harsh and mean Get out of my way Can you please leave?

Violence, violence You are really bad You have to stop It makes people sad

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After learning about the tragic deaths of Guadalupe Ramirez and her 8 year old son, Fernando, on February 9th in a building fire in Hempstead, S.T.R.O.N.G. staff moved into action to help the surviving family members.

In just 3 days, S.T.R.O.N.G., in partnership with other local community groups, raised approximately $16,000 to help cover funeral expenses and assist with the needs of Guadalupe’s surviving children. S.T.R.O.N.G. continues to work with the family to begin to pick up the pieces and find peace in their loss.

S.T.R.O.N.G. youth attended a vigil and gun violence discussion in January at Adelphi University in response to the tragic Sandy Hook shootings in December 2012. Students heard from powerful speakers about the devastating impact of guns on families and our nation.

Violence, violence You destroy our sun We will destroy your guns!

--Marilyn Blanco S.T.R.O.N.G. Youth Bridge Camp 2013 student

Best Summer Ever I never felt this way before.

I feel as if this place is home.

Every night I can’t sleep, thinking of fun ill have.

It’s even better than being in home.

Here I smile every day.

This summer has been the best.

Meeting these people have been the best.

Spending time with some friends, this camp has been a great success.

--Ana Perez S.T.R.O.N.G. Youth Bridge Camp 2013 student

What’s Next?  September 2013: S.T.R.O.N.G. GIRLZ is a female-only supportive, educational and recreational group that engages and educates young girls ages 13-17 residing in “The Corridor,” the area in Nassau County where the majority of crime occurs and where gang violence poses a serious threat. The program provides at-risk young women with the tools they need to be leaders amongst their peers and discourage female gang participation.  S.T.R.O.N.G. University is BACK! University, our violence intervention program for youth 16-21 years old. Through education, case management and social work services we teach youth to be active agents of positive change. Our primary goal is to help youth who have been involved in the criminal justice system and/or disconnected from school and family successfully reintegrate into their communities in order to build stronger, safer communities.  Ruby Tuesday Fundraiser: Print out the event flyer (last page of this newsletter) and visit Ruby Tuesday any day between September 27-29. 20% of every dinner is directly donated to S.T.R.O.N.G. to assist in providing critical programming to our youth.

Partnerships: The Key to Success

Hempstead WRAP Project is a community collaboration between S.T.R.O.N.G., Families and Children Association, Hempstead School District and the Hispanic Counseling Center. The goal of the collaboration is to coordinate existing services and strengthen intra-agency partnerships by providing students with referrals based on identified needs. In addition, students will be offered workshops on topics such as financial literacy, healthy relationships, violence prevention and career/educational exploration.

A huge thank you to the Women’s Fund of LI for believing in our girls and our S.T.R.O.N.G Girlz program!!!

We are so happy to bring our newest S.T.R.O.N.G. Chapter program to Uniondale High School in September! Our school-based Chapter programs work to educate youth on the perils of youth and gang violence while simultaneously helping them build meaningful, positive connections within their schools and community.

MEET OUR STAFF

Allison McFarlane, Office Administrator “S.T.R.O.N.G. CAMP was an experience for these youth!!

They were excited to be here, every day was different. “

Rahsmia Zatar, Executive Director “Our S.T.R.O.N.G. youth and staff rock. I feel like a proud mama! :-D “

Beria Camargo, Director of Programs “What I love about STRONG is the passion of those who make up the STRONG family and that we seek to truly understand those we serve.”

Gina Dudley, Counselor “You’re as strong as you want to be“ Mike Vargas, Counselor “As a S.T.R.O.N.G. Counselor working with at risk youth, I’m passionate about helping them get focused on the things that matter.

It takes a village to raise a village, and S.T.R.O.N.G. is a part of that village. “

S.T.R.O.N.G. Youth Bridge C.A.M.P. Counselors Summer 2013

Michelle, Magalios “I enjoy seeing the connections made between counselors and campers.”

Lorenzo Pearson “I’m enjoying seeing positive changes in the kids daily.”

Benjamin Perez “I enjoyed seeing the kids mature through the summer. Good luck in school!”

Jacqueline Villalobos “I thought this would just be a job but ended up being much more than that.”

Mark Galeano “It feels good to help kids learn to avoid problems and do better in school.”