Positive Youth Development and Empowerment: Increasing Opportunities for Youth Led

1. P R O J E C T M P E A C E P R O J E C T NMPHA and NM CARES National Health Disparities 2014 Joint Conference Positive Youth Development and Empowerment: Increasing Opportunities for Youth Led Health Promotion and Education Tuesday, April 1st, 2:15 PM • Panel Discussion: • Carlos Flores - Coordinator, New Mexico Department of Health – • South Valley Male Involvement Project • Adrian Baca- Service Learning Intern, South Valley Academy • Omar Torres- UNM Student, Young Men’s Project, Advocates for Youth • Christopher Ramirez- UNM Men of Color Initiative, Men of Color Alliance

2. Why Youth Led Programs? Research in peer education effectiveness has occurred primarily in reproductive health education programs, and has shown that peers working with other youth increases engagement of youth in the messages being communicated. www.advocatesforyouth.org/workingwithyouth Recent research in other areas of peer education effectiveness has shown promising results, but has also highlighted the apparent lack of study of peer education and its impact on other youth www.sc.edu/fye/resources/fyr/peers.html Anecdotal Notes: Youth are intrigued and pay attention to peers who exude confidence and a command of specific health information, and attend to messages shared through music, poetry, rap, and other hip hop formats.

3. How Does SVMIP Recruit Youth and Identify Men for the Project? • Educational Programs in the Schools (2007) • Service Learning Interns (2009) • Video Projects (2009) • Peer Mentors/Educators (2010) • Project to Engage Artists to Create Energy 4 Change (P.E.A.C.E. 4 Change) Poetry, Rap, Arts Programs (2011) • Students With A Goal (S.W.A.G.)- Athletic Tournaments, Male Youth Summit, Arts/Poetry Programs (2012) • Exemplify Rap Group (2012)

4. Origins of the South Valley Male Involvement Project • In 2004, research cited high rates of teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, youth violence, and high risk behaviors • In 2005, MIP began Project M discussion groups at South Valley Academy on health issues, promotion statewide • In 2007, MIP began life skills curriculum in local schools

5. Origins of the South Valley Male Involvement Project Peer Educators/Interns work with students to provide health information; they receive training in adolescent health topics and help to facilitate middle school and high school groups Original Peer Educators/Interns, 2008

6. Adrian Baca: Service Learning Intern Our Project encourages school involvement, project work, involvement in community service, and ongoing community involvement after high school. Adrian is in the beginning phase of his internship with the project Adrian Baca, above, is a 10th grade student at South Valley Academy. He is a rapper, originally became interested in MIP because of the rap program, but is now an intern who is helping with health promotion and outreach.

7. Adrian Baca: History of Project Involvement • Male Youth Summit 10/2012: First involvement in the arts workshops, performed in the poetry/rap workshop • Poetry Roundtable 3/2013: Attended and presented rap at Atrisco Heritage Academy • Poetry Slam Fiesta 4/2013: Performed rap songs and assisted with program • Summer Service Learning Internship, 2013 • All City SWAG Music Showcase 7/2013: Assisted in carrying out program and performed in Showcase • Male Youth Summit 10/2013: Assisted, Performed • Began 2nd Service Learning Internship, Fall, 2013

8. Adrian Baca: Current Work With Internship -Outreach and Promotion with SWAG Tournaments -Has worked to build Poetry/Rap program at South Valley Academy -Nicotine Prevention Project -Presented his project at South Valley Academy -Presented Nicotine Prevention Project at All City SWAG 3 on 3 Basketball Tourney, March 8

9. Adrian BacaRap It Up: Quit Smoking Tobacco kills Tobacco production damages the environment. And tobacco exacerbates poverty http://www.globalissues.org/

10. Omar Torres: Advocates for Youth’s Young Men’s Project The Young Men's Project, a national project, of which Omar is a member, is a council composed of young male leaders and activists from across the country who seek to engage and mobilize their peers on issues related to sexual and reproductive health. Omar, in the black shirt, sits with his national partners in the Young Men’s Project

11. Omar’s Original Training Began as a Peer Educator Students and Peer Educators work on Media Projects, 2010 Peer Educators and Partners Present on Media Development 2009

12. Omar has worked in participatory education, experiential activities and has presented at many youth led programs Omar works with Peer Educators to discuss issues identified from community surveys, spring semester, 2010 Omar Torres, Peer Educator, facilitates session at Organizing for Youth Conference, 2011

13. Omar has always had a passion for poetry and rap Omar, Second from Left, Participates in the 1st Annual Poetry Slam Fiesta at Rio Grande High School in May, 2011 Omar Joins Students Who Share Their Love of Hip Hop at the NASW Conference, February, 2013

14. Exemplify Rap Group Fall, 2012: Three students who had participated in poetry and rap as high school students came together to establish Exemplify. Community Service: Exemplify rap group performs in the schools with positive messages, supports other rappers, provides mentoring. Omar performs at the Resistance, Unity, and Hip Hop Show, October 2013

15. Building Communication Skills: Consent and Healthy RelationshipsOmar Torres, Advocates For Youth, Young Men’s Council (Continuing His Work In Community Service) Create a healthy relationship through CONSENT and communicating with your partner Presented at All City SWAG 3 on 3 Tournament, March 8, 2014

16. Christopher Ramirez: UNM Men Of Color Initiative, Men of Color Alliance Partners Who Share a Vision of Enhancing Support for the Health, Wellness, and Education of Students of Color Christopher Ramirez has worked at the UNM Campus to increase retention of students of color and to organize students of color in building a community of students who are committed to supporting each other in higher education. Christopher approached the Male Involvement Project to collaborate on youth programs at the UNM Campus and to bring middle and high school students on campus to meet students from the Men of Color Alliance

17. Campus Collaborators: UNM Men of Color Initiative Men of Color Alliance: Inaugural Retreat, Fall, 2012, with Lead Organizer, Christopher Ramirez, at far right of photo Men of Color Initiative: Students from the Men of Color Alliance at the University of New Mexico pause for a photo

18. Programs which MOCI has helped to sponsor Above, students attend Poetry Workshop at Male Youth Summit, October, 2012 Spring, 2013, SWAG 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament Finalists at UNM

19. Through the Students With A Goal (SWAG) and MIP’s P.E.A.C.E. 4 Change, Events Have Been Held at UNM and at the National Hispanic Cultural Center Above, teams finalists, below individual finalists, in the 3rd Annual Poetry Slam Fiesta, April, 2013 Student Performances at the Music Showcase, after music performance workshops, held throughout the day

20. Integrating MIP Youth With UNM MOCA and Centro De La Raza Peer Educator/Fellowship ProgramJuan Gonzalez, Who Began With MIP in 2010 in West Mesa DJ Program, Is Now An Intern Assigned to Work With SWAG Events Juan Facilitates Art Mural and Activism Workshop at 6th Annual Male Youth Summit, October, 2013

21. 2013 Numbers from Male and Youth Engagement

22. 2013 Numbers from Male and Youth Engagement