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.
Last night over 75 youth came to the Pre O3 Party held at the offices of REACH LA. Staff and volunteer counselors met one-on-one with 61 youth to discuss sexual health, risky behavior and benefits of HIV testing. 
Twenty youth took advantage of the free HIV counseling and testing services provided by Bienestar. As youth waited for their risk reduction session, they ate chinese food and pizza, watched movie “The Wiz”, got re-aquainted with REACH LA staff, and hung out with their friends. “Everytime we do this event I get to catch up with all the kids & house parents who have been a part of the REACH LA family” boasts Executive Director Martha Chono-Helsley, “We have a great time checking in with each other.”
The evening also marked the debut of REACH LA’s Peer Health Advocates Devaughn Sherman, Justin Yoshida and Stacy Alford, newly trained and certified community youth who work within their social networks to get sexually active youth to test for HIV. (more…)
Learn more about “The Wiz” and get a free ticket to this Saturday’s OVAHNESS Ball 3 - Welcome to the Emerald City!!! All gay/bi young men, ages 16-24, are invited to meet with REACH LA’s awesome counseling staff to learn more about REACH LA’s programs, HIV/STD risk reduction and earn a free ticket to a fabulous event. Free HIV counseling and testing will be provided by Bienestar beginning at 5pm-9pm. There will be lots of food, fun and giveaways throughout the evening. The Legendary Mother Sean Milan Infinity will be on hand to answer all your Ball category questions and to offer advice on how to “bring it to the runway.” For more information contact Tyrone at 213-622-1650 x104 or Greg at x109.
MY RECORDED LIFE: QUEER YOUTH LOS ANGELES @ OUTFEST
six compelling new works from the REACH LA queer youth video production program
SATURDAY JULY 12 2008 12 NOON
at the REDCAT Theater
Walt Disney Concert Hall
631 W. Second Street, LA 90012
PRODUCED BY REACH LA
This year’s LGBTQ youth video production program features seven exciting young video-makers working in six different video genres to tell their unique stories of being young and queer in Southern California. Ranging from experimental performance to edgy narrative drama, diaristic expose to a mock-u-mentary fashioned with dolls. All of these videos are united by a need to render visible these close to the bone stories that ask us to look through the lens to the often hidden spectrum of LGBTQ youth.
For more information contact
Gina Lamb 213.622.1650 ex 107 (more…)
REACH LA and GetYourTens.com co-hosted a video screening and reception at The Village - Ed Gould Plaza. This was the first Los Angeles screening of the award winning documentary “I’m Still Here: Becoming Legendary” since it took the Audience Choice Documentary Award at FUSION Film Festival in December 2006. Produced by Tryone Carter and Gina Lamb, “I’m Still Here: Becoming Legendary” focuses on the creative spirit and the desire for self preservation within the L.A. Ball Community. There were 50 people in attendance including many youth and house parents featured in the film. Che’la Demuir Chanel from the Waiting to Exhale program welcomed everyone to the screening and gave the audience an overview about the services and program offerings at the LA Gay & Lesbian Center. RLA Executive Director Martha Chono-Helsley rallied the crowd around the upcoming OVAHNESS 3 Ball on July 26th. Outreach Coordinator Chris Blades provided insight into how he became involved at REACH LA as a volunteer. 
Tyrone Carter spoke more in depth about Ovahness program and how youth can become involved. After the screening, the Ovahness and Girl2Girl Leadership provided one-on-one risk reduction counseling to all youth in attendance. Those youth who participated in the counseling session received a certificate for a free admission ticket to the Ovahness 3 Ball in July. REACH LA volunteers, alumni and leadership members conducted sexual health, STD and HIV prevention games in the courtyard. Everyone feasted on hot dogs, churros, popcorn and nachos while kicking back and enjoying the day. Many thanks go to the LA Gay and Lesbian Center staff for providing free HIV/STD testing and their generous hospitality!
A free showing of “I’m Still Here: Becoming Legendary” has been slated for Sunday, April 20th at The Village @ Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N. McCadden Place, LA 90038. REACH LA and getyourtens.com are jointly presenting the award-winning documentary that showcases the spirit and creativity exisiting in the Los Angeles House and Ball scene and to talk about the issues of self preservation concerning the African American LGBT youth community. A unique reception following the screening will provide refreshments, free HIV testing and one-on-one counseling. Youth, 24 and under, are eligible for a free ticket to REACH LA’s OVAHNESS 3 Ball. For more information contact Tyrone at 213.622.1650 x104. HIV testing is provided by the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center mobile unit. Special thanks to “Waiting to Xhale” program and our friends at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center for all their help and support!
REACH LA is proud to announce it’s newest addition - Tara Perry and Greg Wilson! Tara is the new G2G Leadership Coordinator. She most recently completed the G2G Leadership program in November 2007 and looks forward to leading the next leadership class. Tara will be recruiting 15 young women to participate in the 2008 Leadership class and coordinating 5 statewide roundtables that bring together regional youth leaders and local policy and civic leaders to discuss reproductive justice issues. Greg Wilson comes to REACH LA with an extensive background in HIV prevention and leadership. He joins the staff as the Assistant Manager of the OVAHNESS Young Men’s Health program.
2008 NAESM African American HIV leadership Conference in Oakland California, January 24-27, 2008 - The Ovahness Leadership Team along with Martha Chono-Helsley, Executive Director and Tyrone Carter, Manager of young Men’s Health Programs aimed at building the capacity of young men of color through HIV and health education advocacy attended the 2008 NAESM African American HIV leadership Conference in Oakland California, January 24-27, 2008. 
One team members announced, “This is my first time flying”. The group of young men where excited to present in the session entitled Community Mobilization and Awareness the Ovahness program and the award winning documentary ‘I’m Still Here: Becoming Legendary” which was very well received. The staff and young men where bombarded with question and compliments. The young men attended a variety of workshops focused on HIV Prevention and developing leadership skills. Those youth who attended were Stephan Daniels, Devaughn Sherman, Kyle Butler, Pierre Porter, Peter Singleton, Stacy Alford, Angelo Martinez, Enrique Hernandez and Chris Blades.
Unbeknown to Chrst Blades, REACH LA Outreach Coordinator and Ovahness Leadership Team member was nominated for his work. Christ Blades received and standing ovation when honored with this award “The Harold Philpot Award, outstanding community service, dedication, and contributions to remove HIV/AIDS from the African American MSM community.
Friends of REACH LA came out 325+ strong to “Gotta Skate 08″ at World on Wheels.
The event featured DJ Ben and Enyce Chanel hosting a wide range of folks from all over LA. A special performance by rapper Foxxjazell highlighted the night.
Youth under 24 got in free for speaking with REACH LA counselors about HIV risk reduction and many took advantage of the free HIV testing provided by AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Members of the REACH LA G2G Leadership and Ovahness Leadership Teams produced the event. Special thanks go to Pretty Boy Enterprises and Foxxjazell for their promotion and support. Go to myspace.com/ovahness
to view more pictures of the event!
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…
