REACH LA NEWS

Fifty REACH LA volunteers educated 1,300 youth from Los Angeles area high schools, community-based organizations and programs at the annual Macy’s Passport Fashion Inform reception on Friday, September 25. The reception provides a great opportunity to teach youth about HIV in a fun and direct way. Interactive games and activities run by trained volunteers provide “teachable moments” about needle sharing (rub on tattoo booth); sexual risk reduction and oral barrier use through fun carnival type games. Event attendees roamed the reception area playing interactive agency games and earning Macy Dollars that could be redeemed for books, tee shirts and other Macy store items. At 6:30 the doors to Barker Hanger opened and the attendees took their seats in the bleachers and for the next half hour chanted and cheered, representing and showing school spirit. Then at 7:00pm the hall darkened and the show began. When the announcer began listing the Macy’s Passport Fashion Inform beneficiaries, the REACH LA volunteers screemed and cheered in support. The show featured fashions by Calvin Klein, Levis, Harajuku Girls, Popi, Hugo Boss, American Rag and others. Thank you Carla Gordon and Kafi Battersby wrangling our 50 volunteers; and many, many thanks to our wonderful volunteers: REACH LA Ovahness and G2G Leaders, REACH LA Peer Health Advocates, students from Oakwood School, Pitzer, Scripps and UCLA, Mickey Morgan, Tyrone & Tylyn Carter, Armond Anderson-Bell, and Tim Ochoa. A special thanks goes to Michelle LaPierre for her kindness and support. For more pictures click here!