“Over the course of the year, working with TDN has truly transformed me to become someone who is more aware of my surroundings and the issues that people within my own community are facing. TDN and its whole-hearted initiatives are so powerful, in that, conditions as serious as HIV/AIDS are dealt with and prevented from a grass-roots level. Being a part of TDN has been such a wonderful experience, and I have very big dreams for what TDN can do for our world.” – Nicole, high school intern

Through our innovative programs and engaging initiatives, our young people bring their dreams closer to fruition and speak their mind about HIV prevention and health promotion.

Here is a teenager’s statement about our workshop sessions: “I like that we were able to have fun and still learn something.”

And one of our partner organizations gave the following feedback: “This was a wonderful experience. Thank you so much for inviting us. I felt honored to be a part of this workshop. For me, the most enjoyable aspect was the free flowing and unscripted nature of the discussion.  It allowed everyone to be themselves and to speak to one another on a somewhat level playing field. I think that when it comes to topics such as HIV, peer pressure, culture, sex, violence, and the Black community the last thing kids need is to be lectured. Besides, I’m quite sure they get enough of that from their parents, teachers, the clergy, etc. The kids were great. I loved the participation and the fact that they felt comfortable enough to speak honestly about the issues.”

2015 Highlights:

• enrolled 50 teens from Central Brooklyn for 6 weeks in our RIPPLE Program workshops at Medgar Evers College Summer Academy;
• led a delegation of 15 inner-city youth for three days at the United Nations Youth Assembly;
• established new partnerships with the Kenneth Cole Community Action Program at Columbia University and New York City Civic Engagement Program at Barnard College;
• signed an strategic Memorandum of Agreement with Services for the UnderServed to promote an inter-generational dialogue regarding HIV prevention;
• implementing an innovative HIV prevention/youth development curriculum locally in three Brooklyn-based schools (one in Brownsville, two in Crown Heights) and another one in Manhattan (Tribeca);
• offering internships to dozen local high school students in East New York, Brooklyn, in partnership with BMS School-based Health Center at Thomas Jefferson High School;
• reaching up to 400 students at each programming cycle stating next year;
• piloting a Fashion Health Club to improve teen girls’ self-esteem and reduce HIV-related social stigma;
• forging a new collaboration with Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health

Humbly, our social enterprise organization is working harder than ever to better engage our local young people in health promotion activities and HIV prevention awareness. In 2015, we served nearly 50 high school students; NONE of them become HIV-infected. Yep, an AIDS-free generation is possible. And we’re committed in it!

Help us to increase TDN’s social impact. DONATE HERE! – $25, $50, $100, $500 or more – (your contribution is 100% tax-deductible)