HRYP JOINS PEERS WITH INTERNATIONAL STAGE

Hampton Roads Youth Poets joined forces with spoken word youth activists from around the globe to tackle the hard-core and heavy: political inequities, abuse, racial strife, cancer. And they don't just speak they artfully and  strategically, of course, performing profoundly - starting low and slow then rising in volume and intensity until their words are heard.

HRYP is a division of Teens With a Purpose, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to empowering Hampton Roads youth by providing 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.

Started in 2007, Hampton Roads Youth Poets uses their energy, ideas and VOICE to be a change in their community. Member of HRYP cultivate and present Open Mics, attend workshops preparing young writers to address critical issues facing the world, the community, youth and the individuals. Their voice is an honest look into our youth, they address serious issues such as Hunger, Poverty, Violence, Rape, Bullying, War, and HIV/AIDS awareness. HRYP hosts a monthly open-mic night, VIBES is held on the Second Saturday of every month at BEAN THERE Cafe. The upcoming VIBES will showcase the 2012 HRYP 2012 Slam Team and the pieces they performed recently at BNV.  

TWP ACTIVISTS MARCH AT AIDS CONFERENCE 2012

  Teens With a Purpose joined thousands of Medical professionals, policy makers, and advocates for those living with HIV/AIDS at the 19th  International AIDS Conference to “Turn Back the Tide of the Epidemic.” They hailed in from from more than 180 countries, making it the largest AIDS conference in the world and assembled in Washington, D.C., for a week of speeches, symposiums, exhibits and more.

A group of Teens With a Purpose youth activists joined the march led by TWP Mentor, Andrea Castleberry. Teens With a Purpose has been at the forefront of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Awareness since 1996. TWP uses creative & evidence-based methods to spread the message including Peer education, Spoken Word, Drama, Dance and Original Music inspired by Role Model Stories. Role Model Stories are stories that have been collected from real teens in Hampton Roads. The primary purpose of the role model stories is to model risk-reducing behaviors, suggest solutions to risky situations, and illustrate positive outcomes of taking steps toward protecting oneself. Last fall, Teens With a Purpose hosted their first full theatrical production titled “Imagine Me”. The event was held at the Crispus Attucks Theatre and included break-out sessions and workshops. The production was well received and included over 300 guests. This theatrical event, written, produced and featuring local Teens, raised awareness so Youth can better understand the consequences of their actions thus reducing their risk for: HIV/STI, Dating Abuse, Bullying, Suicide and Dropouts. To view our current Role Model Stories click here.

Teens With a Purpose work is imperative, the numbers are alarming, according to the CDC In 2009, young persons accounted for 39% of all new HIV infections in the US and young blacks accounted for 65% (5,404) of diagnoses of HIV infection reported among persons aged 13-24 years. TWP is committed to finding new and innovative ways to educate young people on how to protect themselves from HIV infection.

Distracted Driving Awareness Campaign, Students take a pledge against distracted driving

Starting March 1st, 2012, GEICO, along with WAVY-TV* News Channel 10 and Teens with a Purpose, are partnering with DRIVE SMART Virginia to take a stand against distracted driving among teens in the Hampton Roads community. Even Miss America and Miss Virginia will be in town to lend a hand. Students who take part in the contest will pledge to not use cellphones or texting while they’re driving, to cease eating and drinking while driving and to focus on their driving and not on their passengers. Pledge forms were distributed in at least 12 high schools that are participating: Booker T. Washington High School; Denbigh High School; Granby High School; Green Run High School; Indian River High School; Kellam High School; Lake Taylor High School; Landstown High School; Ocean Lakes High School; Princess Anne High School; Renaissance Academy; and Salem High School.  The school with the highest percentage of student pledges, Lake Taylor High School, earned a GEICO-sponsored party in April, National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. During the contest, students posted photos and videos that promote safe driving to the Distracted Driving Pledge Contest’s Facebook and Twitter pages managed by Teens With a Purpose. Teens With a Purpose also used videos that went viral to spread the word. 

 

 

The winning high school was contacted in early April and announced to the community via Facebook and Twitter.

Richard Love, Teens With a Purpose created a song inspired by the Distracted Driving Awareness campaign. The song was premiered at the 2012 TWP Launch Part at the Westin Hotel Town Center Virginia Beach.

* WVBT-TV, the sister station of WAVY-TV, is also a partner of the distracted driving pledge contest.