Media Contact:
Kelly Moltzen
212-633-0800 x 1328
845-304-1521
Darlene Perez
|
Bronx, NY (March 20, 2015) -- Students at Validus Preparatory Academy have organized a
fashion show that will promote awareness around eating disorders, health,
cultural pride, LGBTQ awareness and body image. The event will be held on Friday, March 27th* from 5:00 – 8:00 PM (1595 Bathgate Ave).
Students will showcase their poetry,
music, dance and fashion designs.
The fashion show will incorporate a range of
health-related topics, including violence, self-esteem, LGBTQ acceptance and
AIDS and cancer awareness. High school students at Validus have brought these
important issues to the forefront of their communities, and health teacher
Darlene Perez has supported her students’ interests and helped them organize
the event. According to Ms. Perez, the planning committee for the fashion show
was initially small—a group of 10 students who dedicated time both during and
after the school day to organize the logistics of the event. Student interest
grew rapidly over the course of the school year, with more than 50 students
contributing in the weeks leading up to the show. Ms. Perez has played a
critical role in the implementation of these programs, dedicating hours of her
free time to supporting students in health and wellness initiatives.
“I believe that if
you empower students, they will then learn to take initiative to lead a
positive movement,” says Ms. Perez.
Validus Prep will partner with Bronx Teen Connection; Build ON; and The Body Project, a program of the National Eating
Disorders Association (NEDA) to host this event. The school was introduced to
NEDA, as well as Chefs for Change, through Healthy Schools NY, a program of the
NY State Department of Health implemented by the Institute for Family Health’s Bronx
Health REACH initiative. Healthy Schools NY provides technical assistance to
schools to implement programs and policies that promote school wellness. The Body Project has
contributed to the overall theme of the upcoming fashion show, giving students
a platform to actively promote health education and support their peers.
The
Institute for Family Health
(www.institute.org) is a federally qualified health center network that
operates 27 practices in New York State with more than 90,000 patients served
annually. Services are available to
people of all ages, regardless of ability to pay.
Bronx Health REACH is committed to improving the health of Bronx residents
by creating opportunities for residents to make healthy choices. The Bronx
Health REACH coalition, led by the Institute for Family Health, includes over
70 community‐based organizations, schools, health care providers, faith‐based
institutions, housing, and social service agencies. To learn more, please visit
www.bronxhealthreach.org
*Note: This event has been rescheduled from March 20 due to the weather.