Amongst
some of Teen Empowerment's goals is to "change things and to get people
involved" according to Youth Organizer Brandell Ravelo. This is done by
getting input from the city's different communities by targeting teens
and adults. The group wants to inform citizens about its mission and to
provide a space for teens to get together in a positive and supportive
environment.

"Here at TE [Teen Empowerment] we're looking for a
good way, a better way to deal with these issues," said Joseph Flynn,
the evening's emcee and Teen Empowerment Youth Organizer. The issues
faced many teens today are drug abuse, alcohol abuse, suicide and
crime. Teen Empowerment seeks to play a role in helping teens make
better decisions on how to address these issues.

The evening's
performers were local teens who spoke, sang and rapped about their
experiences about growing up in Somerville. Among the themes addressed
were growing up in the projects; relationships; sexual identity and
teen pregnancy. The performers were as diverse as the subjects that
they addressed.

One of the more lighthearted performances was a
three-character role play which featured different audience members
taking on the roles of Santa Claus, the Grinch and a disgruntled elf.
Performers would take turns in each role while being replaced
throughout by different audience members. It was a fun exercise which
helped to get the audience more involved.

Danny McLaughlin,
another Teen Empowerment youth organizer, addressed the crowd saying
that it was more representative of the "modern" Somerville. McLaughlin
mentioned how Somerville at one time was 90% white but today was much
more diverse with many being of Haitian, Latino, Irish and Italian
descent. Teen Empowerment is there for everyone regardless of their
background.

"We are here for you," McLaughlin told the crowd regarding the group.

Teen
Empowerment was founded Stanley Pollack back in 1992 in Boston. Today,
the organization has offices in Boston, Somerville and Rochester, NY.
Pollack, who serves as Executive Director for the organization, started
out as a street worker in Somerville back in 1974. Back in the 1970s
there was a large disconnect between adults and youth according to
Pollack. Drug dealing was big back then as well.

"It was a complete mess," Pollack said referring to that era. Pollack believes that it is dangerous when teens have no hope.

"When
the pathological become the trendsetters then there will be trouble,"
according to Pollack. Teen Empowerment seeks to connect with youth so
that they can influence each other in a positive way and marginalize
the bad influences that teens face today.

One of the tools that
the organization uses is performing arts. The evening's event is a
perfect example of how Teen Empowerment seeks to involve not only teens
but adults as well in its mission of positive change.

The
Somerville office of Teen Empowerment opened in 2004 with the focus of
addressing the issues faced by Somerville teens today. The group seems
to have successfully brought teens from the different areas of the city
together though if you were to ask any of the group's organizers there
is more work to be done. The group seeks to get its positive message to
teens and adults since they can also provide a pivotal role influencing
youth.

The group's next big event will the annual Peace Conference scheduled for April 10, 2010.

The
Teen Empowerment Holiday Gathering was a positive and fun event which
showed that youth can get along and transcend the difficult situations
that they face. Teen Empowerment provides a place for teens to gather
with their peers to receive support and make new friends.