Soy Unica! Soy Latina! Workshop

(Newburgh) - The Newburgh Latino Youth Collaborative presented “Soy Unica! Soy Latina!” on Saturday, January 27 on the Mount Saint Mary College campus.

Registration was open to the first 100 Latina girls between the ages of 9 - 16 and who attend the Newburgh Enlarged City School District. Mothers and/or caregivers were also encouraged to attend with their daughters to take part in several interactive workshops engaging them in topics such as racism, self-worth, career and college opportunities, along with exposure to cultural dances, art and much more.
The YWCA, Newburgh APPS/MISN, Safe Homes of Orange County, Sarah Wells Girl Scouts and the Middletown Police Department were some of the many organizations that participated in the workshops.

The Newburgh Latino Youth Collaborative stated, “As we continue to witness the effects of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs in our community, we must renew our commitment to protect and empower every human being, particularly our youth. Hispanic girls rank higher in rates of pregnancy, depression and suicide, when compared to other racial or ethnic groups.”
In response to this need, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration developed a bilingual initiative for Hispanic girls and their mothers and caregivers. The public education initiative, called Soy Unica! Soy Latina!, is designed to build and enhance Young Latinas’ self- esteem, mental health, decision-making and assertiveness to prevent the harmful consequences of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs.

The Newburgh Latino Youth Collaborative was founded in 2004 with a mission “to provide Latino Youth an opportunity to be active in their community through community service, organizing of community events, and participation in empowerment programs, advocacy and referral.”
Pictured Above At the conclusion of the Soy Unica!, Soy Latina! Workshop sessions cultural dancing was displayed by a variety of dance groups, such as the one pictured above.