SMART Summer News - SMART University

July 2015: Free to Be Prom, Culinary Workshops, and Spotlight on
Kevin Rios
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Summer Fun & Yum Issue 2015 This month we highlight the success of SMART Youth's
"FREE TO BE" Prom, SMART Youth Culinary Skills
Leadership Training classes, and spotlight on our own Kevin
Rios.
"Free to Be" Prom ­­ A Huge Success!
SMART Youth kicked­off the summer, June Pride­style, with a “Free To Be” prom­themed party, thanks to major support from Henry van Ameringen Foundation and Gilead Sciences. Under the flowing rainbow decorations, we also served a rainbow of yummy (and healthy) foods prepared by our own culinary wizards, Tawnya Manion, Sam Clare and Kevin Rios. From refreshing fruit kabobs to hand­rolled sushi, we had an evening of food, dancing and fun at the LGBT Center in Chelsea to celebrate SMART Youth’s 10th Anniversary. Other epicurean delights made with love included an assortment of quiches, hummus and guacamole dips and chips as well as veggie empanadas a la Kevin! All of this fueled the big turnout of SMART Youth, including alumni and staff, to get on the dance floor!
As part of the festivities, a “Prom Person” and “Prom Partner” were voted on and crowned after answering the question, “What is an issue you see in your community and how would you address it?” We chose these “gender­
untethered” titles as an alternative to traditional prom titles with a more meaningful and inclusive selection process. We congratulate Chaniece (Prom Person) and Patricia and Nadia (Prom Partners) who each won a $100 gift card donated by Whole Foods (87th St. & 3rd Ave). We also had a free raffle of 2 enormous gift baskets of products donated by Walgreens.
Midtown Comics Times Square gave us a generous donation of 150 Avengers comic books to add to our gift bags filled with other goodies and treats. Baked by Melissa provided us with a rainbow assortment of 100 “scrum­delicious” cupcakes. We also wish to thank photographer, Alejandra Estevez, who volunteered her time to snap and record this momentous occasion as well as the Manhattan Neighborhood Youth film crew, documenting the night from beginning to end. Check out our facebook page and website for more picture highlights. Because it was such a phenomenal success, we have big plans for next year's “Free To Be” prom! Thanks to all who came out and helped to make the evening one to remember for all of SMART Youth!
Culinary students and SMART staff work together to learn & teach new skills and make fabulous
meals!
SMART Youth Become "Ninja's" in the Kitchen!
Each year, SMART Youth holds a series of nutrition education and hands­on cooking classes which focus on healthy eating and food alternatives that are better for your body and mind. This summer, we went to the next level to enhance our students’ skills in the kitchen called SMART Youth Cooks: Culinary Program. This intensive program and curriculum was developed by Tawnya Manion, SMART’s Chef Nutrition and Director of Culinary Programs. Tawnya has vast experience working in the restaurant and catering industry. It was her goal and vision to teach students skills for the various career paths in the food industry that go well­beyond working in fast­food establishments. The 3­hour classes held Tuesday afternoons in Corsi Center/Union Settlement’s kitchen for the month of July began with an introductory class focused on knife skills, chopping techniques and safe food handling instruction. Subsequent classes included a focus on vegetables, grains and cooking meats, in addition to more kitchen etiquette. At our last class, held on July 28th, students graduated with skills and gifts to take them forward in their culinary aspirations as well as improve their marketability in the restaurant and catering industry. Among Tawnya’s expert culinary instruction, she also helped them with building their restaurant/catering résumé. A continuing part of this program will be to help those students who are eligible to obtain their food handling license. We have already had a discussion with the East Harlem Department of Health office who offered to help us in that process! We received 15 super cool Japanese Red Denim aprons, donated by Tilit Chef Goods so now we can cook in style! We also received 15 $40 gift cards from th
rd
Whole Foods (87 & 3 Ave) for the students. And to help with their new “ninja” skills, each graduate received their own chef knife! Spotlight: Kevin Rios, Program Assistant
Kevin Rios joined SMART Youth in October 2013 and a little over a year ago, he began volunteering at SMART. His professional work ethic and initiative landed him the part­time job with SMART as Program Associate (August 2014) and his wide range of talents in culinary and administrative responsibilities has Subscribe
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moved him up to his recent promotion of Program Assistant. Kevin does a fantastic job with outreach at various community events, and helping when we have food demos and cooking classes in community venues. He also excels teaching young people accurate and up­to­date information on health and sexual information concerning HIV and AIDS. He also managed the special project, 100 Good Deeds Bracelet, that SMART was involved with last year.
Diagnosed with the HIV in 2012, Kevin was initially shy and misinformed about what living with the disease would be like. But with proper information and the support of his first mentor at SMART, Kevin achieved the confidence to live his life on his own terms, and got involved with people and organizations in the HIV community. Born and raised in East Harlem, Kevin took on a vital role in his family at an early age: He was the only child in his immediate family to be able to hear. Kevin mentored his three younger siblings and helped them become fluent in sign language, using both English and Spanish signs. His mother, being deaf and mute, Kevin worked hard supporting his family, all while getting his high school diploma. He aspires one day to fulfill his dream to become a detective for the NYPD. We are so fortunate and blessed to have Kevin as part of our SMART Family ­­ he has helped keep our organization afloat and going! Kevin provides a positive influence and impact on the lives of other people living with HIV. He teaches them that they are not limited in any way because of their disease and should always strive to live fulfilling and prosperous lives.
Please note our new
Mailing Address:
Special Thanks:
Harli Kozak who helped volunteer with SMART Youth Cooks workshops this past July. SMART/FCNY
P.O Box 1223
Hellgate Station
New York, NY 10029
SMART Staff are wishing
you a safe and enjoyable
rest of the Summer! Ben Sparks, who helped with this issue of our newsletter. SMART is a project of the Fund for the City of New York, a 501(c)(3) non­profit
organization. Contributions are greatly appreciated and are tax­deductible to the
maximum extent allowed by law.
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