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On August 29, 2006
The Philadelphia Inquirer
reported:
"According to CDC data, homicide is the
second-leading cause of death among
people 10 to 24.
The
homicide rate among Philadelphia youth
is five times higher than the national
average. "
In its most recent
report The Children's Defense Fund
reported:
"Gun
violence has already taken over 95,000
young lives in America since 1979.
In one year 2,827 children
and teens were killed by gunfire. "
The statistics
are frightening... One young person
dies every 3 hours from fatal gunshot
wounds in the United States. Over 4
times as many children and teens suffer
the trauma of non-fatal wounds. The
total youth gunshot fatalities in 2003
was 2,827 -- more than double the total
U.S. military fatalities in the Iraq war
between March 2003 and January 2005. Our
children live in a war zone.
 Started
in 2004/05, our MasterPeace
Teens United Performing Arts Project
provides alternatives to violence
through theater and the arts, developing
a creative force for teens to address
the impact of violence in their
communities. Teens involved with this
project will be working with acclaimed
director, Dr. Maurice B. Henderson, as
well as musicians, poet educators and
dance instructors as they use the arts
to heal their experiences of violence
and loss and to communicate their ideas
and visions for long-lasting change in
Philadelphia.
 Initially
involving over 25 youth participants
from 5 city high schools, our hope is to
continue to expand this program,
offering more youth from more schools
and neighborhoods access to
this important project. The federal
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention recently announced a
$850,000 award to fund a research
project to reduce youth violence in
Philadelphia (Philadelphia Inquirer,
August 29, 2006). Philadelphians are
clearly working to address the problem
of violence and Teens United believes
that creative solutions come from
empowering youth with voice and action.
Using the arts as a tool for
empowerment, we have seen positive
results through participation and
feedback and we expect those results to
multiply as our program grows in size
and impact.
In
our first two years, Teens United's
accomplishments include:
- Annual
productions developed by the teens
including a full-scale original
theater production and a performance
of poetry and music performed for more
than 300 youth.
- Thanks to a
special partnership with the
SCRIBE Video Center, Teens United
shared their creative inspirations
through a video production filmed,
edited, and produced by the teens
themselves.
- Teens United
collaborated with different
organizations and events to increase
youth awareness of violence-prevention
efforts in their communities and also
to increase their visibility in their
communities. Partnerships included
Mothers in Charge, the
Pennsylvania Million Mom March,
and a variety of faith communities.
Are you a teen
who believes in the power of art to
communicate, heal and transform? Are
you committed to long-lasting change in
Philadelphia?
NEEDED!!!
Teenagers interested in performing arts:
Poets, Rappers, Actors, Dancers, Singers and Show Production People
This is a casting call for Teens With Power Theater Project
Mothers In Charge needs teens interested in promoting
non-violence in our communities. Must be prepared to
set a positive example through your chosen artistic expressions.
Non-Violence and peaceful resolution to everyday disputes are the
focus of all performances. Dedication and some travel are required.
Contact Mothers In Charge (215) 235-7283
or The Arts & Spiritually Center: (215) 386-7705
or by email: teens@mothersincharge.org
Teens With
Power
Youth Initiative
Of
Mothers In Charge
215.235.SAVE
3201
West Girard Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19130
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