Youth Explosion 2009

the problem:

Youth Explosion 2009 is a teen talent exhibition and urban musical designed to address the topics of poverty, teen pregnancy, abstinence, gang violence, and drug abuse. We are combining creative skits and musical performances with live poetry readings and keynote speaking in which the cast and crew is 90% teens. We are combining creative skits and musical performances with live poetry readings and keynote speaking in which the cast and crew is 90% teens.

vital stats:

people impacted:

5,000

people involved:

16

why it's important:

After listening to upset parents and teens during school events and social gatherings, we took those collective concerns and incorporated them into Youth Explosion 2009’s production and literature content. The parents of these children want positive change in their childrens' outlook for the future. The skits were planned and written with neighborhood children. The poetry was written by one of the talented teens in the neighborhood and one of our key note speakers is a resident of the area. Our biggest problem was gaining support of adults and parents but after several meetings and conversations, I think they realized our passion for the area and they began to listen to us and now they are just as excited as we are at the potential impact of this project.

the plan of action:

This two-day community event will also consist of seminar sessions to bring community awareness to non-profit programs available to them from both the secular and religious communities. Youth Explosion will take place in the fall of 2009. During the event we will be providing registration packets containing valuable information for parents and a synopsis of the seminar. The information provided will help parents to identify if their children are involved in sex, violent activities or drug abuse. They will also have information on how to address issues specific to their child. We have worked diligently putting together information relevant to the community. We have submitted several grants, of which we are receiving many positive responses. We are now recruiting talent from within the community to begin practices. We have also reserved the Community College Auditorium for the event.

how you can get involved:

Donations of clothing, musical equipment, microphones, chairs,tables, food, plates, cups, Luau decorations,money of course, video equipment, speakers and anything else imaginable related to putting on a stage production.

project updates:

02/11/2009

We are currently looking to expand to a second show in a different venue, Also Youth Explosion is now a nonprofit talent agency.

Comments

really good idea! i like how you bring music, art and theater all together and raise awareness too.

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