Teens With A Purpose: 2011

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Al Roker back in our ‘neck of the woods’ in support of local non-profit, Teens With a Purpose

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA - Television personality, Al Roker, of NBC’s Today Show, served as the celebrity host for the “Teens With A Purpose” (TWP) charity fundraiser Private Launch Party on May 18th at the Westin Hotel’s Lucky Star Restaurant in Town Center Virginia Beach. In attendance were Congressman Scott Rigell, Congressman Bobby Scott, Superintendent of City of Virginia Beach Public Schools Dr. James Merrill, Director of Economic Development of Virginia Beach Warren Harris and Regional Vice President of GEICO, Joseph Thomas and many other notable business, community, and civic leaders. They all gathered for the purpose of kicking-off Teens With a Purpose 2011 fundraising campaign Imagine Me, which will include a 3rd Annual Fundraiser Gala and Silent Auction featuring Al Roker on November 4, 2011 at the Westin and the 14th Annual Teen Event: Imagine Me - A Theatrical/Educational experience on November 5, 2011 at the Crispus Attucks Theatre. The program included public pledges of support, teen testimonials and performances by Hampton Roads Youth Poet, a division of this local community based organization.

GEICO pledged $20,000 as Presenting Sponsor of the 3rd Annual Fundraiser Gala and Silent Auction. The funds raised throughout the Imagine Me campaign will be used to fund over 25 free community educational programs, fund year-round training and group meetings for new and current teen advocates, provide quarterly incentives for teen peer advocates, offer a pilot teen summer enrichment program for 20 or more deserving Youth, and extend staffing to support programming. A portion will also be used to fund Hampton Roads Youth Poets trip to San Francisco to represent Hampton Roads in an international youth poetry competition BRAVE NEW VOICES, as seen on HBO.

“Teens with a Purpose” was developed in 1996 with a mission to promote abstinence and help build self-esteem through innovative programs for teens in the Hampton Roads area. Throughout the year, TWP hosts numerous events and seminars to provide HIV and STD prevention information and focus on preventing gang violence, dating abuse, teen pregnancy, distracted teen driving and other life-changing issues facing today’s teens. Through open mic’s and edutainment workshops, local youth serve as facilitators, presenters, and peer mentors. Additionally, the organization utilizes evidence based curriculums such as Community Promise; Choose Respect, Reducing the Risk and Sistah.

“We want to continue to provide young people with a platform to empower one another while using their voices, energy and talents to effect personal change. Utilizing the arts, peer-led programs and community events allows them to assist in improving the lives of others and foster a more knowledgeable community. All while in a nonjudgmental safe environment,” states Deirdre A. Love, Founder and Executive Director of TWP.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

TWP Launch Party with special guest Al Roker

NBC Today Show Host Al Roker was the special guest at the VIP Launch Party for Teens With a Purpose. Teens With a Purpose was founded to provide HIV & STD prevention services to teens considered at risk for contracting HIV/AIDS. Its mission is to “To provide young people with a platform to empower their peers to use their voices, their energy, and their abilities to demonstrate the power to effect personal change, improve the lives of others, and foster a more knowledgeable community that is more invested in both themselves and each other using the arts and through peer-led programs and events. TWP has an emphasize on education and prevention of the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and provide a non-judgmental, safe, environment for self expression for all young people.” Along with Al Roker, Congressman Scott Rigell and Congressman Bobby Scott where in attendance. The 3rd Annual Teens With a Purpose Gala will be held at The Westin Town Center in Virginia Beach, Va on November 4th, 2011.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Members of TWP participate in Distracted Driving Awareness Campaign For Teens.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

TWP Named GEICO Volunteer Partner of the Year Award

"Teens With Purpose has added a new initiative - safe driving. GEICO is proud to partner with Teens With Purpose to share information with teens and their parents about the importance of safe driving.

This past year, Teens With Purpose was honored with the GEICO Volunteer Partner of the Year Award for their efforts to empower teens to use their voices, their energy, and their abilities to demonstrate the power to effect personal change, improve the lives of others, and foster a more knowledgeable community."