PROGRAM - PHILOSOPHY
There can be no democracy where there are silenced voices. Before marginalized communities can participate in civic life, change structures and challenge oppression, they must find their voices. To effectively address their concerns, the residents of Mott Haven themselves must confront both the oppressive conditions created by external structures as well as the internalized oppression that they sow. As the cornerstones of their families and, by extension, their communities, the womyn of Mott Haven are particularly important to the area's development. However, they must first overcome historical and persistent social, cultural, and institutional norms that keep womyn "in their place". Through three holistic programs that integrate intensive personal development and collective political education, Casa provides the opportunities and resources for the womyn of Mott Haven to reclaim their bodies, minds and spirits and, as a consequence, their rights.
F U E R Z A / P O W E R
Fuerza emerged from a series of youth conferences Casa’s founders held between 1995 and 1997 as a six-month pilot aimed at increasing civic participation among the female teens of Mott Haven. The young womyn participants set the program’s priorities as violence prevention and reproductive health education. As a result, the present curriculum involves four components:
Life Skills, which seeks to establish a healing circle among the participants as well as build listening skills and group identity. It also includes a self-defense component.
Leadership & Assertiveness Training where participants explore "isms" they face and the fears they generate, learn to value peer leadership (over traditional i.e. individual leadership), acquire conflict resolution skills and realize their individual and collective responsibilities.
Health Education, which teaches the young womyn: the anatomy and physiology of their bodies, womyn’s reproductive history, and sexual health and the prevention of sexual transmitted diseases and reproductive tract infections. This component also incorporates learning about alternative healing traditions.
Cultural Empowerment, which explores the participants' shared history as African American and Latin American womyn. This includes taking celebratory field trip such as the Bronx Gay Pride Parade and utilizing Afro-Boricua music and dance to heal.
We always have been aware of the particular needs of young womyn of color. Thus, Fuerza has been a part of Casa's vision and programs from its inception.
"Fuerza is about friendship"
~Quote from one of our Fuerza Grrls!
