VOICE OF THE VOICELESS PRESENTATION AT 7TH ANNUAL "BEAUTY OF SURVIVAL" EVENT

the voice

for the voiceless working with Violence Intervention Program, Inc.

WHEELS

washington heights expeditionary learning school As part of a school project last year, ninth graders at Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School (WHEELS) researched social issues that impact their local community and the organizations that help. Twenty-five student groups, comprised of over onehundred students, developed and delivered presentations on various issues including domestic violence, food and environmental justice, homelessness, drug abuse, support for undocumented students, and more with the goal of spreading awareness for the issues they care about. In partnership with Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI), the student group with the most compelling presentation earned a $5,000 grant to deliver to a deserving organization on behalf of the school community.

Last year, The Voice for The Voiceless - comprised of Ashley Rodriguez, Sujeiry Santos, Brian Uceta, and Cayleen Polanco - was the winning team and earned the $5,000 grant for VIP Mujeres. These students, committed to learning more about how domestic violence affects their local community, found VIP through a fellow student whose mother volunteers there. Over the course of several weeks, these students conducted online research, in person interviews, and spoke with people in the community about the impact of domestic violence in Washington Heights and the work VIP does to help.

They then developed a ten-minute presentation that earned them the top spot in the competition.

be a voice for the voiceless

I’ll be honest with you...

Talking about domestic violence is not an easy thing Justice for these women, is what we’re trying to bring So sit back for a second and listen to their struggle Their lives forever surrounded by turmoil and trouble.

Since 1984, VIP has worked tremendously A life of violence is what we’re trying to leave extensively But don’t misperceive This is no small problem: People, as we speak are getting beaten and we need to stop it.

Stop. The lies - the torment - the trouble These women are beginning to live in one big bubble Surrounded by punches - the bruises - the scars, That’s why we’ve brought you a couple quick bars To bring awareness to this issue To the damage you can’t mend With VIP Mujeres, we can help bring it to an end.

To the women of the world,

I give my consultation We will not rest until every nation’s legislation protects the women who live through such discrimination.

Just think about it...

No one wants their loved ones to be hit That’s why for the past few weeks we’ve decided to commit Our group - our team - our passion - our cause!

To research on domestic violence or even some laws.

It could be you, or her, or anyone you love!

It could be him, them, or all of the above!

Violence has no face, it doesn’t discriminate But I think it’s time that we set the record straight One in four women suffer from domestic violence and that’s the reality You may be thinking, ‘Oh what a tragedy’ But to think not act, to say we have a heart is nothing but a fallacy

Pero tengo que decir algo de una vez...

Yo amo mi madre, mi vida, mi amor Ella va a el trabajo si todavía hay calor Para traer comida a la casa No puedo pensar de alguien dándole en la cara Las mujeres en este mundo son muy importante Los problemas que tienen debemos poner alante At this point you have one of two choicesNow, walking away, that’d be very pointless.

Or you could stand up with us and be the voice for the voiceless.

SUJEIRY SANTOS CAYLEEN POLANCO ANTHONY VOULGARIDES BRIAN UCETA ASHLEY RODRÍGUEZ

THANK YOU!!!