TallMan Foundation: A Time For Change Youth Walk

I just found out that Anya, Miss T&T Universe 2008, will be participating in this wonderful community event being held this weekend. It is organized by the TallMan Foundation which serves to promote Arts Education, amongst other things, in the Gonzales Community. The Walk For Change is Sunday 2nd March 2008 from 3-6pm in Gonzales, all are welcome.

Please read below for more information about TallMan and The Walk for Change and please go join them and help create the avenue for change in Trinidad.

A Time For Change Youth Walk

• Date: March 2nd 2008
• Venue: The Gonzales Community
• Time: 3:00pm-6:00pm

Introduction:

After our latest success with the performance of the TallMan Foundation at the 3 Canal show, "Shine", from 25th-31st January 2008, the TallMan youth are once again urging the public to commit to change with the community based effort, A Time For Change Youth Walk will held on Sunday 2nd March 2008 from 3-6pm in Gonzales.

Background/Concept:

The idea was first proposed to the youth by Vincent Joachim during his visit to Trinidad and his generous work with our youth in a brief but intense photography workshop spanning the Carnival season 2008. Our youth, infused with a passion to do the walk, are excited about the possibilities for their community through the "A Time For Change Youth Walk".

The Walk which has been endorsed by community leaders in Gonzales, will feature an opening presentation at the St. Martin De Porres Church at 3:00pm and will include dance, music and drama performances. The walk will then begin, a walk for peace, promoting love respect and unity and calling for A Time For Change by the youth of Gonzales.

Format:

The walk will include intervals of dance and will be documented via video and photography by the TallMan Video/Point-and-Shoot Photography students.

Children from around the community will be invited to participate in the walk and will be given balloons in black and white (TallMan colours). Signs emblazoned with the words "Love", "Respect" and "Unity" will be carried by older youth.

There will be groups coordinated at various meeting points by community leaders to ensure the revamping of the spirit and the continued growth of the group as we continue our walk along a confirmed route through Gonzales.

Selected youth will be given the task of riding along in the vehicle with the PA System to urge the community for change.

Along the way, TallMan students will also use this opportunity to distribute TallMan Registration flyers to the community, inviting youth to get involved in positive activity.

In short, it will be a celebration of youth, life and the future along the streets of Gonzales.

Uniform:

TallMan Kids will all be required to wear their TallMan t-shirts and jeans and community leaders will also be given t-shirts for the occasion.

Aim/Vision:

The walk is not just another walk for peace in the community but rather is a cry from the youth in our community for change, a cry that we hope will touch other youth, will cause youth involved in negative activity to recognize that there is an opportunity for change... that Love, Respect and Unity can happen! The TallMan Foundation is proof that the youth of Gonzales can achieve so much, that we can go from street corners to stages in Gonzales to stages in Queens Hall and still continue to grow. Crime, poverty, violence, drug and alcohol abuse, sexual abuse, promiscuity, lack of guidance, child abuse...these are just some of the social ills that continue to plague our community...the clouds of negativity that continue to hide the rays of hope from our searching hearts and "A Good Morning in Gonzales" from our desperate eyes.

It is the vision of the "A Time For Change Youth Walk" that youth in Gonzales may begin to realize the potential they have and see that they can make a difference in their lives and the lives of others in Gonzales. It is a vision for youth to implement such through a change in mentality, through a change in approach to life's circumstances and ultimately a physical change in getting involved in positive activities, in making use of the opportunities available for betterment and even creating opportunities for new beginnings.

Strategy/Sustainability:

The TallMan Registration for its new term beginning April 12th 2008, will provide an opportunity for youth in the community to get involved in positive activity while discovering and developing skill in various areas of the arts, possible career opportunities, exposure or simply, a place to meet other youth and make friends in the community while having a lot of fun in the TallMan Foundation/CIT+E Arts Program.

Change starts with the individual decision to change...TallMan creates the avenue for development...