YRM’s New Doc on Youth Gun Violence

Nearly every youth in our program knows at least one person who’s been a victim of gun violence. As I write this, I can’t help thinking about the most recent shooting—New Haven’s 30th homicide—which occurred a little over a week ago and another murder that happened just blocks away from YRM on the afternoon of October 28th when a 23-year old man was gunned down and left by his “friends,” bleeding to death on the street.
 
Last spring, one of our young women lost her boyfriend to a shooting; this fall, a YRM alum lost his brother. Whenever I do a presentation for youth groups around the state, I ask, ‘How many of you know someone who’s been shot?’ Almost every youth in every group raises their hands. Of the 14 high school students we interviewed this fall for internships, all stated that gun violence was an issue in which they wanted to engage through their media projects.
 
Our last documentary, Locked ‘N Loaded, examined how such governmental policies as the War on Drugs contribute to gun violence. In the film, community organizer Barbara Fair suggested that if we really wanted to know why youth turn to guns, we need to start by asking why so many young people are angry and devalue human life.
 
At an anti-violence conference in June Connecticut Chief Administrative Judge Christine Keller said of the 200 people she had sentenced, all of them had suffered some form of abuse or trauma as children.
 
Because of your support, this semester we are beginning work on a new documentary that attempts to answer Ms. Fair’s questions by exploring the root causes of gun violence, specifically the effect of trauma on children and how that may perpetuate a cycle of violence.
 
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I am especially grateful to you, our donors and funders. For it is only through your help that we are able to continue empowering our youth.
 
On behalf of the staff, youth and volunteers at YRM, I thank you for believing in, and supporting our work.

In Memoriam: Donors Pay Tribute to Beloved Donor Linda Shanbrom Wallace

I was stunned and saddened to receive a call on July 20th informing me that Linda Shanbrom Wallace of Hamden passed away on July 15, 2011.  Although I never had the opportunity to meet Linda, I know that she was a loyal and passionate supporter of Youth Rights Media.

I am so very moved that Linda chose to encourage memorial contributions to Youth Rights Media, and am equally touched by the many who have donated to our organization in her memory.  Their gifts are indeed a fitting tribute, a wonderful way to honor her life’s work and interests.

It is only through the generosity of people like Linda and our other donors that YRM is able to fulfill its mission of empowering youth to know, protect and advance their rights, ultimately providing them with the necessary skills and tools to affect change within themselves and their communities.

I feel grateful to her son Adam who introduced Linda to YRM through his work with Public Allies. “The first YRM film that Ma saw was CJT$. After that screening and follow-up discussion, Ma was hooked,” he recalls.  “She loved the work being done at YRM. She loved the people involved. She would promote YRM to anyone, particularly the students and teachers/administrators she worked with in the school system,” he adds.

From Adam I also learned that Linda had worked as a teacher’s assistant in the special education program at New Haven Academy for the past five years.  He notes, “Her classroom style was unique because of her tendency to develop in-depth, one-on-one relationships with her students. Every year, she would connect with a group of young people in such a deep and meaningful way. She would share the joy of their successes with them; and suffer thru the difficult times, too.”

Reflecting on what made Linda so special, Adam writes, “She was the type of woman that young people were drawn to…probably because she was so approachable and caring. Young people – whether they were her students, or my sister’s or my friends growing up – always seemed to confide in her…she had the ability to make them feel safe, even in the midst of adversity.”

In his eulogy he shared, “Throughout her life, Ma was always aware of her role in the larger community. When she sensed injustice, she was not bashful about voicing her concern.  Ma’s commitment to social justice was a constant throughout her life, dating all the way back to her time as a student in DC, organizing anti-war sit-ins on the GW campus. In her professional career, Ma was always happiest when her work provided her with the opportunity to make a positive impact on someone else’s life.”

He continues, “Whether it was her advocacy work for the Alzheimer’s Association, or her work with the elderly population at the JCC or, in her most recent role at New Haven Academy, helping her students attempt to reach their full potential, Ma always delivered with the utmost kindness and compassion. In all of these capacities, Ma was always drawn to the underdogs…the individuals that may have been written off or forgotten. The kindness and love in Ms. Linda’s heart helped to inspire the young people she worked with to believe that they could achieve more than even they thought might be possible.”

On behalf of everyone at Youth Rights Media, I extend our heartfelt condolences to Linda’s family and friends. We are eternally grateful for Linda’s unwavering support, knowing that her fighting spirit lives on, inspiring our work.

To learn more about how you can support YRM, contact Janis Astor del Valle, Executive Director, via phone (203) 776-4034 or email: Janis@youthrightsmedia.org.

YRM at CCY

On July 27, a group of youth in our Summer Institute attended a showcase by the Musical Theatre, Voice and Theatre departments at the Center for Creative Youth (CCY) in Middletown, CT.  Julie Vargas shares her reflections:

My experience watching the performances by CCY was phenomenal. The theatre productions were powerful, moving and compelling. I could see the fun and excitement each student had performing their pieces.

The chorus was in perfect harmony, sending chills down my back with each note! Even had me swaying to a song many may know, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” from a classic movie, The Wizard of Oz. The musical theater presentation was splendid as well! Laughing was the only thing I could do when they performed “Officer Krupke,” from the movie West Side Story!

Each one of the students brought their own enthusiasm, which made the overall performances superb to watch and witness. If I was given a choice to watch it over again, I would without hesitation!