Youth screening

Boston Non-Profit Engages Youth in Solutions to Community Violence

Sponsored by the Boston Foundation, guests of honor included Boston’s Chief of Human Services, Larry Mayes, who was awarded with a Community Media Champion Award.

On June 4, 2009, Press Pass TV brought together more than 100 community leaders, youth, parents and philanthropists to celebrate the release of 8 new short videos created by youth “It was a remarkable gathering of Boston’s young leadership engaging and empowering the youth” commented Charlie Rose, Executive Director of City Year. The videos all focus on solutions to the epidemic violence threatening the health of our city. Working with organizations throughout the city, including The Boston-area Youth Organizing Project (BYOP), the City School, Project RIGHT, the ACLU of Massachusetts and the Science Club for Girls, Press Pass TV put together an exciting and informative program of videos showcasing the amazing talents of Boston’s youth “Press Pass TV is the now future of news media. Is it organic, presenting the true stories of people and bringing journalism to life” said Larry Mayes, Chief of Human Services for the City of Boston.

The screening was attended by representatives from the Mayor’s Office, Former State Representative Mel King, prominent local funders like the Boston Foundation and the Hyams Foundation, several community organizations, and youth media makers and their peers.

Two awards were presented to Press Pass TV youth- Kevin Thomas and Nine Tran, and The Mayor’s Chief of Human Services Larry Mayes was awarded the 1st Annual Lew Hill Community Media Champion Award for ongoing commitment to community based media.

Attendants were impressed with the composition of the pieces, as well as the youth producers’ ability to dig into timely subject matter like solutions to youth violence, the drop out crisis and student rights in the schools. The Audience was particularly inspired by the 20-minute news documentary (IN) Correction, which examined the role of jails and prisons in the increasing rates of domestic violence homicide. Almost every piece screened was produced by youth who only 3 months ago had never picked up a camera or a microphone, youth who now have an important role in documenting the stories of their community. And community is what the night was all about. This remarkable night brought the community together from all corners of Boston to really highlight and discuss solutions to the most pressing issues facing Boston today. Attendants also enjoyed live graffiti by local group Retract and food provided by B.Good.