VOICES Fall 2009 & Project Proposal Showcase

This semester VOICES welcomed three first-time Leaders Corps instructors, one Temple Political Science intern & twenty four new participants. For eight weeks, the youth and their young adult facilitators engaged in dialogue and workshops on community awareness and critical thinking. Using Philadelphia as their classroom and current events as the content, the groups discussed issues affecting the students, such as the Septa strike, increased school funding and rising racial violence. After researching their issues to develop their arguments, the participants received training from V-Media to create short videos about their issue, as a preview for their larger campaign in Spring 2010. The students showed great passion for their projects, commitment to their group members and increased their public speaking skills.

Youth also had the opportunity to attend two Saturday events this semester: the Temple University Homecoming Football Game at Lincoln Financial Field and Shot!, a "docudrama" about violence in North Philadelphia presented at Tomilson Theater.

We ended of the Fall Semester of VOICES with our annual Project Proposal Showcase on December 12, 2009. Three groups presented PowerPoint and Public Service Announcement videos on the three topics chosen this semester: violence (as played out in the media), high school drop out rate and foster care & adoption. An audience including Temple University professors and students as well as parents, friends and other youth asked the participants questions about the research findings and interviews. Media Literacy and Child and Welfare service providers as gave feedback and encouragement to the students about the work that they have already done.

Please stay tuned in the coming semester to see feature films entitled "Cinderell" and "Violence is Played Out!”

Thanks so much to all who attended and supported our youth!