Join Denisha McFarland, CEO & Founder of The Healing Hearts Foundation of Berks County Corporation, Founder Edna Garcia of RIZE, “I Got Next TV” at “I Am Original” Stop the Violence Showcase, Saturday, June 18th, 1pm-7pm at The PLUG (547 Penn Street Reading Pa 19601).
Talent of all ages & genres are welcome to participate. This event is FREE to the public. All ages are welcome, volunteers are needed. Activities include The Gun Tear Challenge/Art Contest, 3 Shot Basketball Contest, and a Double Dutch Demonstration. Partial proceeds will help in developing our upcoming community projects.
The event features guest speakers Mayor Eddie Moran of the City of Reading, Pa; Dr Movita Johnson-Harrell, Retired State Rep, Founder of The Charles Foundation Inc National Advocate to stop Gun Violence; 3 Violence “VICTIMS’” mothers; and special guest speaker Queen Michele.
Queen Michele is a Hip Hop Educator/Historian, Owner at Harrisburg City Breakers and President of Hip Hop Education 4 Youth, also a part of the Temple of Hip Hop, Kool DJ Red Alert Promotion, Guerilla Republik and Embracing ARMs. She is the first Hip Hop organizer in 2000 to start a hip hop organization in Harrisburg Pennsylvania.
Hip Hop Education 4 Youth, partnering with the after-school programs and community in the Harrisburg Area, is an Education-based Program that uses elements of Hip Hop to focus on troubled youth who struggle socially and emotionally dealing with past “TRAUMA”, hoping to keep them in a safe environment, created projects to allow them to express themselves through the Culture of Hip Hop.
Also in attendance, Gun Violence Victim Youth Advocate, Chasnae McFarland-Ortiz from Reading PA will open the show by singing the National Anthem and Closing with “Tears I CRY”
To make peace within our streets Chasnae McFarland-Ortiz, a victim of the unsolved murder & cold case of her father, Rolando Ortiz Benitez, from 20 years ago, has felt the pain of her peers and their families who try to cope with the loss & grief of gun violence. At the age of 26, she still uses her life story to become a voice for others in our communities. She has participated in Big Brothers Big Sisters, RIZE, ACOR and Baby College that were therapeutic programs at the time Chasnae needed it the most as a child in the City of Reading while becoming a young adult. With the help of these organizations, it allowed her to express her grievance through her talents and continue to be our voice.
Our mission is to provide a holistic approach to educate and mentor youth and young adults on wellness & healthy lifestyles, violence prevention through Culture Arts Entertainment.
The Healing Hearts connection has joined forces with various organizations, local politicians, small businesses and has received a Proclamation from State Senator Judy Schwank in June 2012 to empower and enrich the lives of our youth through a holistic approach called the Healthy Life initiative.
Our approach to diverse community problems has proven to be effective to help recreate and commit to a movement of Unity that once existed within our communities.
Our Holistic approach with RIZE, ACOR, Big Brothers Big Sisters, M&M Sports, Reading Public Museum, YEARS OF TEARS, Mi Casa Su Casa, Shady Maple, Adventure Sports in Hersey, Express URSELF Studios , “The Legacy Exist Joe Frazier Scholarship Fund”, Mass Confusion Black On Black entertainment Media Group, “Mute Mag”, NSF Project Build Up, New Start Foundation Ceasefire PA, Longwood Gardens, The Charles Foundation, “Fitness By Kash”, RUVILLA, “M.E.N Acting Now “, SILK-N-IT Promotions Multimedia, iCARE, “Reading Revolution Double Dutch, A-TRAINIFICATION, “Family In Christ Outreach”, Artists Against Violence World Wide Movement”, BTV GLOBAL, M.E.N OF EXCELLENCE, DTLR, The PLUG, Mary Kay, Street Legends, DJ Check For Me, TheRealDeal610, Berks Community Action Program, Chick-Fil-A, The Village Of Reading, Quality Design Crafts, In The Eyes of Grieving Mothers, Taste Of Sweetness, and a host of other organizers will help curb violence on an International Level.
One of these unique collaborative events is “I AM ORIGINAL” Stop the Violence Showcase which gives young people and adults a unique platform from which to express themselves about problems plaguing their generation.
Participants in this event speak to their peers in ways that will cause them to take notice and listen. Through verse and word, these young artists can speak from the heart and offer a positive message that there are alternatives to behaviors that lead to heartache, suffering and even death.
By giving these youngsters this opportunity, the Healing Hearts Foundation gives young people the opportunity to be a part of the solution. Undoubtedly, as these efforts catch on and the movement gains strength, it will be a positive force for change in all communities for many years to come.
