REACH LA NEWS

REACH LA’s Social Enterprise program launched it’s first line called OVAHNESS products. OVAHNESS products were produced and designed to initially promote the OVAHNESS Young Men’s Health Program. The overwhelming response to both the image and cause helped launch the “double bottom line” concept of social enterprise for REACH LA’s newest program - one that brings attention to a social cause like HIV/AIDS then puts the money generated from the sales back into REACH LA’s programs. That is why 100% of the net profit from sales will go back into the OVAHNESS Young Men’s Health Program whose goal is to promote sexual health and wellness through self-preservation, education and perserverance. HIV/AIDS rates of infection among young gay and bisexual men of color are increasingly higher than any another other group in the US. As the rates rise, the OVAHNESS Leadership works to provide HIV and STD prevention education to other youth, encourages and advocates for HIV testing and works to develop systems and resources that can move youth toward self sufficiency. To view OVAHNESS products go to www.reach.la/products (Continued below…)

Model: Enrique Hernandez, 21 - member of REACH LA OVAHNESS Team

This first endeavor drew from the “home grown” talents at REACH LA. Sean Milan began volunteering at REACH LA in 2006. He had a vision of helping REACH LA develop a fashion line utilizing the creative talents of REACH LA program participants. Sean and Director of Development Carla Gordon began brainstorming ideas how to develop and eventually launch this concept. REACH LA received a small grant from the Northern California grantmakers to begin research and development followed by a generous donation of silk screeninging equipment that helped to develop many of the early prototype items. The team enlisted the graphic design and photography skills of Francisco Armenta, 19, who started at REACH LA as a participant in the summer Arts Portfolio in 2004. It was in that program where he successfully designed his first social marketing card for a REACH LA campaign called “Be-An-Ally,” that educated students about AB537, an anti-discrimination and anti-harrassment legislation geared at protecting LBGTQ youth in public schools. Today Sean and Frank comprise the design team for the Social Enterprise program. The OVAHNESS Leadership Team helps to promote the OVAHNESS product line by flyering at events (like LA Pride), working at the REACH LA booth at NAESM and HPLS Conferences and wearing the OVAHNESS gear “with pride.” “The clothing provides a great way to meet people and to talk to them about our program,” says Outreach Coordinator Chris Blades. The team hopes to launch a Girl2Girl line of products in early 2009 that will help to support the programming and educational effort of the G2G Young Women’s Health Program.