REACH LA was selected to be a beneficiary of Macy’s Passport Fund. On September 26, REACH LA staff,G2G and Ovahness leadership teams and volunteers headed out to Barker Hanger in Santa Monica to participate in Macy’s Passport: Fashion Inform night. The REACH LA team facilitated activities that taught youth about HIV/AIDS, STDs and risk reduction. Armed with “rub-on” tattoos, REACH LA discussed how HIV can be transmitted thru sharing needles. 
Others manned the “Fishing for Answers” game, where youth threw pingpong balls into brightly colored fish bowls that identified either a HIV, STD, pregnancy prevention, or substance abuse questions. REACH LA Volunteers from Oakwood School proudly ran the popular “Tongue Billards” game that helped players learn the importance and ease of barrier use. All game winners were awarded with “Macy’s Bucks” that were redeemable for a variety of prizes. All of REACH LA’s volunteers were rewarded with the opportunity to see the Macy’s Passport fashion show complete with fashions by Ed Hardy- Christian Audigier, Ben Sherman, Levi and Calvin Klein. REACH LA rode in style to and from the event in the Power 106FM provided their “party bus.” (more…)
The G2G Young Women’s Leadership is hosting an event to educate young voters about Proposition 4. The event is called “Sex In My City: No Options,” and is slated for Friday, October 24th at the Lucy Florence Cultural Center, 3351 W. 43rd Street, in Leimert Park, from 7pm-9:00pm. “Sex In My City: No Options” will feature original poetry and performance commentary about sex, youth, sexuality and access to reproductive health care. The G2G Leaders wanted to produce an event that spoke to their peers and young voters about reproductive justice and Proposition 4 - also known as the “Child and Teen Safety and Stop Predators Act: Sarah’s Law.” REACH LA has always been an advocate for minors whose reproductive health and wellness are at risk due to lack of access. Proposition 4 would ban abortions for minors until 48 hours after the physician has notified a parental or an adult relative other than the parent about the intended abortion. Should a minor patient fear physical, sexual or emotional abuse from a parent, the proposed law would allow for an “adult relative” be informed and physicans must report allegations of abuse by the parent to law enforcement or Child Protective Services. Should a minor wish to bypass the parental notification, she would have to navigate the court system to gain a waiver. “It is important that we speak up about what Proposition 4 will require” advocates Executive Director Martha Chono-Helsley, “The proposition would impose the physicans report abuse and send young girls to navigate the court system. How many young girls will go to court? We will be looking at at more teen pregnancy and worse - young girls in desperate situations who may seek illegal and unsafe abortions.” The G2G Leaders worked to defeat Proposition 73 and 85 by launching internet bulletins and emails to peers and social networks.
REACH LA’s OVAHNESS Team took Ft. Lauderdale by storm by attending the United States Conference on AIDS from September 17-21, 2008. The OVAHNESS Team was selected to facilitate “Using Youth Leaders to Strengthen Your Program” roundtable on September 19. The session was a standing room only success with the OVAHNESS Leaders providing insight into why they are involved with REACH LA, volunteerism, strategies for engagement, and how agencies and organizations can retain youth leadership. 
Executive Director Martha Chono-Helsley provided the organizational/agency insight by sharing how youth engagement has increased organizational capacity to reach new youth, “Once they come to REACH LA and meet the staff and volunteers, we got them. We work really hard to create a “youth friendly” environment in which to work and learn.” Frank Armenta, 20, REACH LA’s home-grown graphic designer and HIV Counseling and Testing counselor shared his story of coming in to the organization through the media arts program, “REACH took an interest in me - they encouraged and trained me in social marketing and enterprise in order to reach out to others.” Devaughn Sherman, Kyle Butler, Stacy Alford, Chris Blades, Ivanie Murphy , Greg Wilson and Tyrone Carter rounded out the team. The OVAHNESS Team also attended many of the workshop presentations and helped run the REACH LA Booth in the exhibition hall. Social Enterprise Manager Sean Milan Harris said “This is the most OVAHNESS merchandise we’ve sold to date. Having the OVAHNESS Team there in the booth gives the buyer the opportunity to see where their money goes.” More pictures to come…
The Ovahness Leadership Team facilitated the workshop “You Think You Know But You Have No Idea” at the Black Gay Men’s Health Conference at the Gay and Lesbian Center’s Village at Ed Gould Plaza on August 9, 2008. The group was led by Ovahness Assistant Manager Greg Wilson and Outreach Coordinator Chris Blades. The Ovahness Leadership Team faciliated a group discussion on key issues that are specific to young Black gay men. Participants were led through self-reflection exercises to engage in a deeper discussion about barriers of stigma and negative self worth. Participants learned how the Ovahness Team works on ways to overcome barriers while building self-esteeme and a positive community outcome.
REACH LA’s Tyrone Carter was honored at the Black Men’s Health Conference on August 9th at the Gay & Lesbian Center’s Village at Ed Gould Plaza. The conference and the award was presented by In The Meantime Men’s Group. Tyrone was honored for his commitment to combating HIV in the LA community. Tyrone is the Manager of the Ovahness Program which provides HIV prevention education and risk reduction counseling. One of his largest contributions has been the formation of the Ovahness Young Men’s Leadership team which provides leadership training in HIV advocacy, community moblization and peer education. Tyrone has worked closely with the sub-committess of the LA County HIV Prevention Planning Committee in the area of HIV Counseling and Testing, serves as member of the African American Crystal Meth Task Force and a variety of youth advisory boards. Currently Tyrone is a scholar of the CDC’s AIDS Institute for HIV Prevention Leadership.
