Well what can I say alot has happened over the past 3 months. One very important event that happened in my life was that I got married!   What, What….LOL!!!   Yup, Yup I’m married and so far its been pretty exciting. We went on our Honeymoon and we had a blast in Cancun.  It was really amazing. But I’m not going to talk about me or my relationship, just a couple of hours ago I was at a Teen summit and wow let me tell you it was great.   There were many different speakers and they all touched on different topics ranging from Teen Dating violence to underage drinking and my favorite STD’s!!! JK!!!!   Honestly though my favorite speaker was a mother who was a volunteer for M.A.D.D ( Mothers Against Drunk Driving.) Her name was Joan Brewer and she dropped it like its hot.   She started by showing a video from 1999…( Yeah I know 1999…. OLD) but what that video showed was the most shocking thing I’ve ever seen, Yeah we all know its not good to drink and drive, but many of us know people who still do this and we can prevent our friends or family members from getting behing the wheel and causing a horrific accident that can lead to them being dead or even behind bars. As the 1999 video started playing it showed a beautiful young lady from Venezuela who came to the states to learn english.   It also showed a 20 year old football player who didn’t know each other but because the 20 year boy was drinking and none of his buddies took his keys away his life would be changed forever.   It was a late night and the Boy was driving and he crossed the center divider on the freeway colliding  with the young ladies car who had 2 other passengers in her car.  2 passengers died and she had 3rd degree burns allover her body and loss her nose, fingers, ears and was basically deformed.  I was shocked to see this women it was crazy. But Joan continue telling the story of her son who died too from driving under the influence at the age of 22.  You could really feel her sorrow as she spoke about the death of her child and it was by far one of the most impactful personal stories I’ve ever heard.  At first I didn’t know how to react, but I guess what I’m trying to say to you is if you know of anyone who drinks and drive take their keys away or drive them home.   You can save a life by doing something that small. All in all a split second can change your life so Don’t drink and Drive!!!

Peace,

Jimmy Gomez                                                               

High School is filled with different stresses. From homework to school dances, many things pop throughout the school year. But one thing that is not mentioned enough when it comes to high school is cliques.   I am sure you know them: the cheerleaders, the jocks, the nerds, the band kids, the drama kids etc… Students make assumptions of other people based on these cliques.  However, most of these assumptions are wrong. The fact is that almost all of  high school students are going through the exact same thing.   Most high school students have the same fears and drama. But very few students leave their comfort zone and share their experiences with one another.    As a result, high school students interact with their small group of friends and never really talk about what is on their minds. 

     I usually don’t pay attention to MTV ever since they stopped playing music videos, but recently they have been coming up with some good programs. (Minus the Jersey Shore, I am tired of Snooki and the Situation.) Shows about teen issues like “Teen Mom” and “The Buried Life” have become popular on MTV over the years. The newest program to hit the airways is “If You Really Knew Me”.  This show takes place in various high schools around the country to try to break down the social cliques.   First, the high schoolers participating in Challenge Day play group activity games designed to have everyone interact with each other.   After, the counselors break up the students into small groups and are invited to share problems in their lives that nobody knows about them. It is a powerful group session that allows students to see each other for who they really are instead of whatever clique they are apart of.  The most interesting aspect of this show is the line of equity.   Questions are asked by the counselors and students walk across the line if the question relates to their life. One example question is if students were raised by a single parent they should cross the line.   Students are able to see and relate to each other forming bonds they never would have in the past.

　High school students need to realize that they have more in common to eachother than they think. Every student has problems that they need to work out. But more importantly, students need to understand that they are not only one dealing with the problem. High school students need to get to know someone rather than labeling people based on their social group. Breaking down the clique barriers will lead to a more harmonious school.

Ruben Dominguez

PTW Los Angeles　

Everyone who spoke and performed did an incredible job, but what I felt was most touching and had the greatest impact was the teen guest speakers from the Phoenix House. These young ladies and gentlemen were brave enough to sit in front of a huge group of their peers (whom they’d just met that morning) and share their stories. Not only were they eloquent and respectful, but most importantly, honest! I sat with them looking at the faces of everyone in the room listening intently as these 2 girls and 3 guys put their entire past on blast and give difficult details. Every person there, adults included, were so moved by their strength and perseverance. Some were moved to tears, other sat silently with a look of sorrowful understanding on their faces. It was so nice to hear so many people thank them for sharing and speak of how their story gave them hope.

So many have similar stories and yet feel so alone. It’s always uplifting to know that others not only understand, but can relate. These amazing people inspired everyone at the conference and are a great example of how anyone can overcome whatever they have been through and come on top a better and stronger person.

Monique Gutierrez,

PTW Orange County

     NO! Unfortunately many have made bad decisions and now have to live with the consequences. Being broke is no joke! Grown folks who work hard and have children still have a hard time making ends meet. Having a child is not CHEAP!! You have to buy diapers, formula, clothes, get the baby vaccinated, etc. If grown folks struggle, then how much more will a young teenage girl who has become pregnant for the firs time? Stats show that it is rare for the father of the baby to end up staying with the girl. Now this teenage girl needs to work, go to school and be a mom. Even if the baby’s father does stay and help it will be difficult to find a job and help with the responsibilities. It’s difficult as it is now to take care of you, so can you imagine how much more difficult it will be to take care a baby. Remember that you can show love with out having SEX. Being broke is no joke! Teenage pregnancy has led many to be broke. Having a family can be amazing, but I encourage you to wait until you’re married.

Proud to Wait y Que no mas,

Alfredo “Chito” Rosado Alfredo “Chito” Rosado,

Instructor Proud To Wait! An Abstinence Project for Youth

California Hispanic Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse,

Inc. 2101 Capitol Avenue Sacramento, CA 95816

P. 916.443.5473 F. 916.443.1732 E. arosado@chcada.org

How’s everybody doing?

　Well on my side it’s going good.  Here’s the thing, how many times have you felt that you can’t accomplish anything in life because something that you did in the past is haunting you and keeping you from reaching that goal or dream?　I recently was at an inner city high school in Los Angeles talking to some students who are on probation, or in placement homes. I was talking about relationships and the concept of renewed virginity when I realize that most of the students don’t believe a person can change. In other words, once you messed up you’re always a mess up. These students had no faith in themselves; they have been discouraged because they were surrounded by drugs, gangs and violence.　Although it was discouraging for me to learn of this, I decided to hear them out to get a better understanding of where they are coming from. What struck me the most was that some of the students said that they don’t understand how people can change their ways or how they can improve their lives.　They even went as far as saying their own parents and teachers believe they were failures.　My heart completely sank.　The only word that came to my head was “Wow ,” even the teachers do not believe in their students. How are we going to make this world a better place when all we do is bash on each other? Instead of building each other up, we tear them down. It’s sad to say that this is an everyday battle our youth face in America. Hearing the students express themselves,　I had to tell them that their biggest enemy wasn’t their parents, it’s not their　teachers, or their significant other; the only person that can hold you back from ever achieving anything in your life is yourself. Going back to the question I asked at the beginning of this blog, is it fair for us to stop pursuing our goals and dreams because of something we regret doing?   No it’s not, but it’s a lot harder looking back than looking forward, and no matter the situation we can always overcome any odds that are holding us back. Life is a hike and we are going to climb some high mountains and cross some low valleys, but through it all, we can learn and accomplish what people doubted from us in the beginning.  Yeah, there’s a bunch of haters out there, but let them hate. You don’t win anything by fighting or talking smack, but the greatest revenge is by accomplishing something that nobody believed you could accomplish.   By proving them wrong, there is nothing they can say to you. To all the youth reading this, there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel.  You might feel like you’re done and can’t move forward because of the situation at home or whatever, but don’t give up. Life isn’t easy but believe in the more you fight for what you want in life, the more precious it becomes to you.

You all have a Great Day,

JImmy Gomez

                                                                          ｪﾒﾁﾄﾖﾉvﾁﾄ!!! ( I’m Proud To Wait )

This is the message I represented through my lifestyle choices during my recent trip to Tokyo Japan! A lifestyle that I believe is very rare in such places where prostitution is legal and easily accessible.

I was totally overwhelmed by how huge the sex industry is in the major cities of Japan. Especially Shinjuku, Japan. To my surprise, the hotel I was staying in was less than a mile from what some would consider the “red light district”. The streets were lined with pimps and prostitutes. Many of the pimps had menus in which you could chose what girl you wanted to have sex with. Others were walking the streets looking for new recruits. Even older women were trying to lure foreign tourists into strip clubs, hostess bars, and love hotels, in which you pay per hour to have sex with the girl of your choice.

My heart was heavily burdened by the things my eyes were seeing.

Hundreds of night clubs and sex shops…thousands of people walking the streets…many of them getting sucked into the lie that says, “Have sex in Japan, and no one will ever find out back at home”.

One night upon walking back from downtown Shinjuku, I was approached by a local pimp trying to sell me sex with a Japanese girl. I listened and secretly video taped him as he explained to me how the process works, and how he would give me the “happy hour” special of 17,000 yen instead of the normal rate of 22,000 yen. Basically, $170 US dollars would include one hour with Japanese girl, with all “love hotel” room fees included. I couldn’t believe how this man was so aggressive in his approach.

Overall, my trip to Japan was very eye opening, and reminded me of why I do what I do…and why I chose to be “Proud To Wait”. There are many people that are hurting and filling the void deep inside of them with sex. I have been equipped with a message of truth that I plan to infect the world with…whether here in America or overseas, it’s time to E-Knock-Ulate!!!

Peace

Jack aka Minister RMB

JUNE 5^th 2010 was our 4^th Annual Student Leadership Youth Conference in Costa Mesa California and it was on and Crackin!!! Teens from all over Los Angeles, Orange County and Sacramento came together to receive encouragement and empowerment from some incredible Guest Speakers.  Our key note speaker for the day was Rashad Jones from Ocala Florida.  He brought a great message to encourage the students to wait until Marriage to have sex.  He also spit an incredible 5 min Freestyle with topics from the Crowd.  One word, BEASTED!!!!

There was also a concert by some of the Artist on our CD Project THE ENOCKULATION.  Silva Dolla, J-6, and MINISTA RMB all preformed some of the songs from the Project.

One of the Highlights of the Conference was the student panel in which some of  the students from the Phoenix House  in Santa Anna California came and shared their stories and how they have made changes in their lives and have turned their lives around.  Their stories impacted every student in attendance.

We also had a skit preformed by  The School of Arts & Enterprise out of Los Angeles.  They did a phenomenal job communicating the importance of making good decisions as it pertains to your future.  The staff of all three offices were in attendance and they did an incredible job hosting and organizing the event.  If you were not able to check out the conference, check out the pictures on this website but also on our facebook page.  If your not already click on the fan button and become a fan of PTW on facebook!

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Thanks,
Rashad Jones