REACH LA NEWS

Get ready to channel your inner Dorothy, Lion, Scarecrow and Tinman as REACH LA’s OVAHANESS Ball 3 - Welcome to the Emerald City comes to the G.A.M. Art Center on July 26, 2008. According to the Ovahness planning committee, this is not a tribute to the 1940’s “Wizard of OZ” but more of an updated version of “The Wiz.” So get ready to “ease on down” the runway in glamorous haute couture with adorned in feathers, beads and rhinestones as REACH LA prepares to bring it bigger, brighter and more fabulous than ever before!

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!

Reproductive Freedom Day 2008 was an extraordinary experience! The subject matter at hand was to request the state legislatures to resend their decision on the medi-cal budget cut. Six Girl 2 Girl leaders were expose to influential women of our reproductive justice struggle such as: Assembly Speaker Elect Karen Bass, California Coalition for Reproductive Freedom Belle Taylor-McGhee, California Latinas for Reproductive Justice Executive Director Rocio Cordoba and EMERJ Executive Director Eveleen Shen. G2G was properly instructed on the methods of how to visit a legislature, and what to expect during their visits. The young ladies were educated, motivated, and empowered to do something they lacked experience within but are now eager for the next challenge. G2G Leaders who attended were Jareeka Burdette, 16, Jareeia Burdette, 16, Diamond Stokes, 15, Wyceaceia Randolph, 18, Vanessa Castellar, 16, Lorena Mendoza, 16, REACH LA’s Sr. Peer Health Educator Kafi Battersby and G2G Leadership Coordinator Tara Perry.

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.

The Girl 2 Girl Sexual/Reproductive Health Leadership program is seeking fierce young women of color, ages 14-24, to work on sexual and reproductive health issues. The 10 month program seeks those young women interested in educating their peers, community and policy makers about relevant issues that are a barrier for pregnancy prevention, STI and HIV testing and treatment and other wellness issues. Contact Tara Perry at 213-622-1650 x102 for an application. Deadline for submission is February 28th.

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!

The staff of REACH LA hosted an evening of fun, food, shopping, singing and “voguing” at its annual holiday party. REACH LA “familia” from the G2G Leadership, Ovahness and Reel Ghetto Queer workshops stopped by through out the evening. Friends came out to support the Chiapas Women’s Collective by buying handmade belts, pocketbooks, bracelets, purses, tablecloths and clothes from Oakwood School students. Each year the Oakwood students travel to Chiapas and visit the many women who participate in the collective.