tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60221125787452017532024-03-13T16:02:14.535-07:00reciprocityDesigning A Better FutureTHE RECIPROCITY FOUNDATIONhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981204814458492520noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022112578745201753.post-55407726620670004892011-11-20T14:55:00.001-08:002011-11-20T14:59:03.586-08:00Grand Opening Event at Reciprocity's Holistic CenterIt was a beautiful evening in which Reciprocity graduates, staff, volunteers, donors and community gathered to celebrate the historic milestone of opening the first-ever holistic center for homeless youth. The photos tell the whole story--smiles, joy, hope and inspiration prevailed.<br />
Attendees received a massage, screened a film, sat in meditation, ate vegetarian appetizers and spent time getting to know each other. What a night!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3qVzuLaBcQTrcTOujOAh8wvn7F9SWkM6e_gaFg99yvbRZ5_hEVicaiL6gTWg9SscnIZrd3ENZR6xgdkUQWg92Kxw2s4u5_ZazU_mgq5Aab0zUzRFW5K0-zPFtwwHHdisWN_eDNR4GL4/s1600/Opening+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3qVzuLaBcQTrcTOujOAh8wvn7F9SWkM6e_gaFg99yvbRZ5_hEVicaiL6gTWg9SscnIZrd3ENZR6xgdkUQWg92Kxw2s4u5_ZazU_mgq5Aab0zUzRFW5K0-zPFtwwHHdisWN_eDNR4GL4/s1600/Opening+11.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNfX15-uEYNuxuQWQz_rz9O-_IUZkJuwc4jksFgeyc-V6kPfYR1L_35cVDIUlxkVFflz0beLkb2pxycV7sRAUwXl9aaUnBCLV32rQM3FqzaNmDT24SH4WLWzm06eIWFD-cmbuSAJm4Ag/s1600/Opening+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNfX15-uEYNuxuQWQz_rz9O-_IUZkJuwc4jksFgeyc-V6kPfYR1L_35cVDIUlxkVFflz0beLkb2pxycV7sRAUwXl9aaUnBCLV32rQM3FqzaNmDT24SH4WLWzm06eIWFD-cmbuSAJm4Ag/s1600/Opening+8.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FguE4DBOcpmNW8PwFrOFfwPCTONIWCMSibeBO6rks3UL9-x9EWmjY6IrB30YBttcX4lxik8c6PQWpygkcuIpN-NOJcN9R-T5oX98-GTH-j5VYcc_ydBmkZcdY9F-5TAS2kEmPFkTzIg/s1600/Opening+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FguE4DBOcpmNW8PwFrOFfwPCTONIWCMSibeBO6rks3UL9-x9EWmjY6IrB30YBttcX4lxik8c6PQWpygkcuIpN-NOJcN9R-T5oX98-GTH-j5VYcc_ydBmkZcdY9F-5TAS2kEmPFkTzIg/s1600/Opening+7.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-iE71T5cg1RFlvD3stRLu5A7cB7eLbv1op0cxRpXkqeiEk4K4DZfrfihuK4Vb7vCyTbGoxPFGlAiN0RgcSHmG6BYrNZ5Fd93fz8VWBT8lWKqPo8CxfwLH3Atbp6njHFUc9VbZO6K3aWw/s1600/Opening+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-iE71T5cg1RFlvD3stRLu5A7cB7eLbv1op0cxRpXkqeiEk4K4DZfrfihuK4Vb7vCyTbGoxPFGlAiN0RgcSHmG6BYrNZ5Fd93fz8VWBT8lWKqPo8CxfwLH3Atbp6njHFUc9VbZO6K3aWw/s1600/Opening+3.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAG4ouA29OG5pvlhouPCxj-XR3GaaXgpqZPB4ETIgTthq2JYw3IQNazc_xxWGbO3n5uILnRPXUv2gxJ4TWQqxRE2rtrHMfiy5Pg6HR3JfJEthAXpVeyx-I7XqK5GBkKNcQVZ7eXCPK5I/s1600/Opening+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAG4ouA29OG5pvlhouPCxj-XR3GaaXgpqZPB4ETIgTthq2JYw3IQNazc_xxWGbO3n5uILnRPXUv2gxJ4TWQqxRE2rtrHMfiy5Pg6HR3JfJEthAXpVeyx-I7XqK5GBkKNcQVZ7eXCPK5I/s1600/Opening+4.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxsL9gPvSkDiTboGlOy9ReL6gXITB_y2sMfoL4zYQFEHqYc3ET72pV-fBfcXKNLEwLCFvfUJ4qtPwFH1qEjMOMso5JsNlGb7siFuNojuTk3OZSODrclxQt596b8vlO4w4ay54s_ySh-O0/s1600/Opening+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxsL9gPvSkDiTboGlOy9ReL6gXITB_y2sMfoL4zYQFEHqYc3ET72pV-fBfcXKNLEwLCFvfUJ4qtPwFH1qEjMOMso5JsNlGb7siFuNojuTk3OZSODrclxQt596b8vlO4w4ay54s_ySh-O0/s1600/Opening+5.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw0alust8UDUhC38ydq-p5ovK51lzpfxbgY_Ia8LYwnGWGTbS242JhR1tLux0ciMsZ89bxjgIEgYbcPN3IvwYiNeYJGC2GBpOdoa-UJVnUMzBevbg_P0sr-SvSoXgTGkOhaUg0Rt2ya40/s1600/Opening+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw0alust8UDUhC38ydq-p5ovK51lzpfxbgY_Ia8LYwnGWGTbS242JhR1tLux0ciMsZ89bxjgIEgYbcPN3IvwYiNeYJGC2GBpOdoa-UJVnUMzBevbg_P0sr-SvSoXgTGkOhaUg0Rt2ya40/s1600/Opening+6.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjBu27SqyqtGu_TKvfjjkXO-dx9MxLSWvj6-50CaqvudsJnG-9_g6yzqWqnvcRM0a1wcC5-ZkOZ2mh2PY47RXF-zNgKuMTZTSaIaeisMPrpUA7Z6Hr4N8ogHkHPKAEcvhGzlG-Qdf3AA/s1600/Opening+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjBu27SqyqtGu_TKvfjjkXO-dx9MxLSWvj6-50CaqvudsJnG-9_g6yzqWqnvcRM0a1wcC5-ZkOZ2mh2PY47RXF-zNgKuMTZTSaIaeisMPrpUA7Z6Hr4N8ogHkHPKAEcvhGzlG-Qdf3AA/s1600/Opening+10.jpg" /></a></div>THE RECIPROCITY FOUNDATIONhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981204814458492520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022112578745201753.post-50918817877428956272011-10-13T17:31:00.000-07:002011-10-13T17:38:52.748-07:00Lyssette Horne Screens INVISIBLE film for Texas Homeless Conference<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxRPd5d25QV8yGPmi-FdxQKAg39vvXwOXDsU2lyUl9xIk8V6c5coWZcBEREsjhJqGnPdOv3N4mKVNIN6vuCig' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />To learn more about Lyssette Horne, youth leader and Production Coordinator at In the Life, click <a href="http://inthelifemedia.com/html/staff/Lyssette_Horne.html">HERE</a>.THE RECIPROCITY FOUNDATIONhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981204814458492520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022112578745201753.post-62021812427525779152011-10-13T17:24:00.000-07:002011-10-13T18:45:28.237-07:00Reciprocity Trains Texas Leaders at Regional Conference Oct 12-14, 2011<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwkB4kJVKT3CDCOlxnmaagtPtkDQAXNCr-gxew6FiQH4AuXIfzi58dLvFlhLs-9jvPiUz9ZE4EJbzOrYVowag' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Today, Taz Tagore (co-founder of Reciprocity) and Lyssette Horne (Reciprocity graduate) screened the Emmy-nominated and homeless youth produced film INVISIBLE: Diaries of New York's Homeless Youth and led workshops training Texas homeless agency leaders in the Reciprocity methodology we call the "Whole Person Approach." Both workshops were well-attended and positively reviewed. The workshops may lead to new opportunities for Reciprocity to train and develop new models for the largest Texas homeless shelters and youth agencies. Stay tuned!<br /><br />For more information on the conference, visit Texas Homeless Network www.thn.org<br />Annual Conference in Dallas, TX<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Reciprocity Workshop Description (Delivered on October 12, 2011)<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Employing a Whole Person Approach: A New Model for Serving At-Risk, Homeless and LGBTQ-identified</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Youth </span><br />What does it mean to integrate the physical, emotional, spiritual and intellectual needs of an at-risk young person? How can social workers, case managers and youth development practitioners help youth identify, reflect upon and achieve critical milestones across the full spectrum of their needs? This interactive session will introduce the Whole Person approach used by the Reciprocity Foundation in New York City to support homeless and incarcerated youth. Using film clips from an Emmy-nominated film about youth homelessness, this interactive session will expose practitioners to the Whole Person frameworks, proven hands-on approaches and recent case studies, in which this approach helped a young person break the cycle of poverty, enroll in college, find meaningful work and heal from a history of abuse.THE RECIPROCITY FOUNDATIONhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981204814458492520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022112578745201753.post-58614175385559813342011-10-06T17:10:00.000-07:002011-10-13T18:49:59.022-07:00New Reciprocity Holistic Center: Watch the Pre-Launch Party<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wlwr1kmBdFY" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe>THE RECIPROCITY FOUNDATIONhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981204814458492520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022112578745201753.post-67385519424023749832011-09-22T08:39:00.000-07:002011-09-22T08:39:00.196-07:00Reciprocity Student Isis King Kicks Off New Season of America's Next Top Model<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiNliROTL-gGqAtFFQzoBC1G7Tdn0LC_BvMli1aNTgRPiF4o9OPY7x2hRPTOIaBmz_0DxotBJJPI0THvY_fNDUuZ30QWqSSGKGFXIj0PV4syGUXhuUea6KUtTiH2yVPRpKArNF0sXfyM/s1600/IsisKingC11.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 242px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiNliROTL-gGqAtFFQzoBC1G7Tdn0LC_BvMli1aNTgRPiF4o9OPY7x2hRPTOIaBmz_0DxotBJJPI0THvY_fNDUuZ30QWqSSGKGFXIj0PV4syGUXhuUea6KUtTiH2yVPRpKArNF0sXfyM/s320/IsisKingC11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652998749275885170" border="0" /></a><br /> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Times-Roman; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-alt:Times; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:auto; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {mso-style-noshow:yes; color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {mso-style-noshow:yes; color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} -</style>On the season premiere of Tyra Banks’ hit show America’s Next Top Model, transgender contestant Isis King returned as a fan favorite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Isis got her start on the show posing as a model for a Cycle 5 episode focused on youth homelessness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>On the next season, she returned as a fierce contestant, despite the physical challenges of modeling as a transgender female, prior to her gender reassignment surgery. <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Founded by Taz Tagore and Adam Bucko in 2004, the Reciprocity Foundation (<a href="http://www.reciprocityfoundation.org/"><span style="font-family:Times-Roman">www.reciprocityfoundation.org</span></a><span style="font-family:Times-Roman">) </span>has helped countless homeless youth from all five boroughs of New York City to transcend poverty, isolation and a lack of direction. Through intensive counseling, yoga, meditation, media training, college preparation and career coaching, the organization helps homeless youth like Isis King start careers in creative sectors such as film, television, fashion and design.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Isis was a charismatic, intelligent student who is passionate about fashion design and modeling,” says Adam Bucko, co-founder of the Reciprocity Foundation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“But as a transgendered woman who lived in a homeless shelter, she faced more obstacles than other aspiring designers and models.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That’s where we came in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We helped train Isis to handle the challenges of success while retaining her integrity.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">This season of America’s Next Top Model will be more challenging than ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The contestants are not about to let Isis steal the spotlight—and Isis, who is beloved as the first transgender model to achieve fame after RuPaul, is not willing to be defeated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Isis is back on America’s Next Top Model to do more than model,” said Taz Tagore, co-founder of the Reciprocity Foundation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“She wants to knock down barriers for people with a different sexual orientation. She’s become a leader to thousands of young women of all sexual orientations.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">During her time as a student at the Reciprocity Foundation, Isis honed her knowledge of the fashion industry and her design skills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She also learned how to network with fashion industry leaders and to compete in a hyper-competitive industry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Reciprocity co-founder Adam Bucko said, “At the outset, Isis was like many of our students—passionate about fashion but unable to translate her vision into a career.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We helped her develop the skills to become a leader and a role model in America. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>By the time we introduced Isis to Tyra Banks and Jay Manuel, she was prepared to take advantage of the opportunity.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">For more information about the show, click <a href="ttp://www.cwtv.com/shows/americas-next-top-model">here</a>. <br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Cambria;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US">For an exclusive video about Isis and her time at Reciprocity, click <a href="http://www.vimeo.com/24821743">here</a>. </span>THE RECIPROCITY FOUNDATIONhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981204814458492520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022112578745201753.post-28135370030091052402011-09-16T06:46:00.000-07:002011-09-16T09:39:16.425-07:00Reciprocity Launches New Rich-Media Website<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VOL4-bd4ne-neQwDH4vYa-u-Gf_1ajVyxLIM8PQmI_B-Pb1_w9e4WsHc_lfVOUvmoAmxK3y1SPygWwU4Uq1rrisq269FVzLkPw07BcsHNc75mRdg09v-1miSt6OO2dCRIe4W9F1UNtc/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-09-16+at+9.46.40+AM.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VOL4-bd4ne-neQwDH4vYa-u-Gf_1ajVyxLIM8PQmI_B-Pb1_w9e4WsHc_lfVOUvmoAmxK3y1SPygWwU4Uq1rrisq269FVzLkPw07BcsHNc75mRdg09v-1miSt6OO2dCRIe4W9F1UNtc/s320/Screen+shot+2011-09-16+at+9.46.40+AM.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652995859568118322" border="0" /></a>Today, the Reciprocity Foundation launched it's new website. Using the WordPress platform, the new site is filled with rich media--photos, videos and films that reflect the creativity of homeless and foster care youth.<br /><br />Highlights include:<br /><ul><li>Invisible--the Emmy-nominated film co-created by seven Reciprocity students and CW/PIX can be viewed on the site;</li></ul><ul><li>New photos from the Reciprocity Foundation's programs will be uploaded each month so that you can meet the students who are leaders in the making;</li></ul><ul><li>A completely new programs page that includes detailed frameworks, models and examples of our "Whole Person" approach;</li></ul><ul><li>Previews of our latest films and videos will be posted on the Home page...a new youth project will be launched every month;<br /></li></ul><ul><li>A new Donate page enables visitors to sponsor the new Reciprocity holistic center for homeless youth, attend a Reciprocity gathering or invest in the next Reciprocity film.</li></ul>Click <a href="http://www.reciprocityfoundation.org/">here</a> to view our new site...but prepared to be inspired to action!THE RECIPROCITY FOUNDATIONhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981204814458492520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022112578745201753.post-83346768776904575232011-08-26T06:14:00.000-07:002011-08-26T06:22:10.955-07:00Derek Cobb performs with Alvin Ailey Dance Company<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQMzNUwiWCQjekGt6KXzkO7itBzEz2I5YLX-t52oYzKZHVGcBsyr3g1AAaLAA5BnVoQ8iv3uswL9Nyzb4dNOyC8FSWRxC8aFMd_-nv17JHTmC7oG_HxuPz8Z21AWIzPmSoRy4WrCQJyc/s1600/Derek+Cobb+Dancer.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQMzNUwiWCQjekGt6KXzkO7itBzEz2I5YLX-t52oYzKZHVGcBsyr3g1AAaLAA5BnVoQ8iv3uswL9Nyzb4dNOyC8FSWRxC8aFMd_-nv17JHTmC7oG_HxuPz8Z21AWIzPmSoRy4WrCQJyc/s320/Derek+Cobb+Dancer.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645153863035662818" /></a>
<br />Reciprocity graduate Derek Cobb--dancer, singer, songwriter and model--has an upcoming performance with the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. It's his 3rd performance with the company and he'd appreciate the support of the Reciprocity community.
<br />
<br />The performances will be at the Ailey Citigroup Theater on:
<br />
<br />August 27th @ 7pm
<br />August 28th @ 3pm
<br />August 28th @ 7pm
<br />
<br />Tickets can be purchased <a href="http://katwildishshowcase.com/">here</a>. Click on the link beneath the photograph on the home page.
<br />
<br />Derek says, "I am super excited to hit the stage again and I can't wait to see the other dancers perform as well. I hope to see you there."THE RECIPROCITY FOUNDATIONhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981204814458492520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022112578745201753.post-15430570834200235252011-08-18T17:51:00.001-07:002011-08-18T17:53:52.544-07:00First Holistic Center for Homeless Youth<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLXLtG5U3wPgcryME71kCEKH9fGTtdJNETYvB17HJAoCRtw6hy983TUhpr9wt3khY_E-DL8h2tBIKX2SgBCTRdZXRV39_FU6yjPNuv9mi0j-YYVeW7ujef12MOiEl12UdXwTsXeSKPwY/s1600/744107.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 175px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLXLtG5U3wPgcryME71kCEKH9fGTtdJNETYvB17HJAoCRtw6hy983TUhpr9wt3khY_E-DL8h2tBIKX2SgBCTRdZXRV39_FU6yjPNuv9mi0j-YYVeW7ujef12MOiEl12UdXwTsXeSKPwY/s320/744107.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642363511350252402" /></a>
<br />
<br />The Reciprocity Foundation is currently pursuing a 5-year lease in the Fashion District to open the first-ever holistic center for homeless youth. It will be a space where youth can create original films and music, meditate and practice yoga, learn to cook vegetarian meals and to work with holistic health practitioners on healing from trauma and abuse. Once fully-funded, the center will be open 7 days a week and staffed with paid and volunteer media producers, integrative counselors, meditation and yoga teachers, business leaders, holistic health practitioners and vegetarian chefs.
<br />
<br />For the past 7 years, the Reciprocity Foundation has been assisting homeless, foster care and at-risk youth from all five boroughs of New York City—with a strong emphasis on helping youth uncover their life’s meaning and purpose and then translating their personal vision into a career, a college degree, a professional network and a portfolio of step-up work experiences. Youth graduates from the Reciprocity Foundation’s programs have become fashion designers, filmmakers, business leaders, media activists and educators—and most stay involved after graduating from Reciprocity by mentoring other homeless and at-risk youth. THE RECIPROCITY FOUNDATIONhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981204814458492520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022112578745201753.post-13223974451850906262011-07-18T18:53:00.000-07:002011-08-18T19:06:45.550-07:00Reciprocity Awarded Grant to Support Film Outreach<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yXAqRZc4dCQ91eO33I7rlfqiZylXv50YdOF4AnyP6qE-t-SdNSb4IzFBD_NA49HcIGGmblsBHGG50GPKXzSFvfAuxBzxcQNzxKRfDtlSK158Nwt-OTqw1sK8eO3OAn_e-yjeKOekqOk/s1600/INVISIBLE+youth+filmmakers+COMPR.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yXAqRZc4dCQ91eO33I7rlfqiZylXv50YdOF4AnyP6qE-t-SdNSb4IzFBD_NA49HcIGGmblsBHGG50GPKXzSFvfAuxBzxcQNzxKRfDtlSK158Nwt-OTqw1sK8eO3OAn_e-yjeKOekqOk/s320/INVISIBLE+youth+filmmakers+COMPR.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642382254336354498" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />In August 2011, the Reciprocity Foundation was awarded a grant by the Fledging Fund to support a nationwide outreach project for the youth-created film INVISIBLE: Diaries of New York's Homeless Youth. With the support of this grant, the film will be screened at key conferences in Texas (<a href="http://www.thn.org">Texas Homeless Network</a>), Portland (<a href="www.pearmentor.org">Pear</a>), Philadelphia (<a href="http://www.naehcy.org/">National Assn for the Education of Homeless Youth</a>) and many others cities on our national tour.
<br />
<br />Please visit www.reciprocityfoundation.org to organize a screening in your community.
<br />Or, visit <a href="http://www.thefledglingfund.org/media/systemic-poverty/invisible-diaries-of-new-yorks.html">Fledging Fund</a> for more information about the film.
<br />
<br />THE RECIPROCITY FOUNDATIONhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981204814458492520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022112578745201753.post-61099299740531498942011-06-29T17:36:00.000-07:002011-08-18T19:08:34.811-07:00INVISIBLE (the film) Screened at the Harm Reduction Coalition<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.austinharmreduction.org/uploads/3/1/0/3/3103200/8761111_orig.jpg?592"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 700px; height: 465px;" src="http://www.austinharmreduction.org/uploads/3/1/0/3/3103200/8761111_orig.jpg?592" border="0" alt="" /></a>
<br />
<br />On June 26th, 2011, Lyssette Horne, Taz Tagore and Adam Bucko led a screening of the Reciprocity youth-created film called INVISIBLE: Diaries of New York's Homeless Youth at the Harm Reduction Coalition. Over 20 representatives from homeless shelters, youth-serving agencies and members of the HRC attended the screening.
<br />
<br />This event kicks off a nationwide tour of the film INVISIBLE that will include Portland, WA, Dallas, TX, Pittsburgh, PA and San Franciso, CA along with many other screenings across the northeast coast.
<br />
<br />For more information about the film, visit reciprocityfoundation.orgTHE RECIPROCITY FOUNDATIONhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981204814458492520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022112578745201753.post-63175062200917447922011-06-08T17:42:00.000-07:002011-08-18T19:07:17.798-07:00Youth on Retreat<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDRmqbDeILJurXHK4lvdyNMg6rQY-sIZ1K6eDzCYhjeOYArz0gCGbw3ki9Sl1ymGVEXwbYVBd-5mQhWsSaCu_seAo0CKRM8mlztn22KOVpbxLFfxEot0BtGueKXEHKKra7drcthZ7xlc/s1600/DSC_0050.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDRmqbDeILJurXHK4lvdyNMg6rQY-sIZ1K6eDzCYhjeOYArz0gCGbw3ki9Sl1ymGVEXwbYVBd-5mQhWsSaCu_seAo0CKRM8mlztn22KOVpbxLFfxEot0BtGueKXEHKKra7drcthZ7xlc/s320/DSC_0050.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642363085601678626" /></a>
<br />In May 2011, the Reciprocity Foundation hosted it's first youth retreat at the Dharma Drum Center near Pine Bush, NY. Twelve youth signed up to attend and several had risked losing their shelter bed to go on retreat. This was an exciting moment for many of the Reciprocity students--some of whom had never left an urban environment.
<br />
<br />When we pulled up at the retreat center, the youth seemed energized by their surroundings. Some immediately started sneezing as their bodies adjusted to the higher pollen count. Some took off their headphones and deeply drank in the sight of trees, lavender bushes, groundhogs and a pristine lake. They seemed unsure of their surroundings, but open.
<br />
<br />Over the next three days, youth practiced yoga, meditation, walking meditation, silent meals and participated in discussions rooted in spiritual principles. They enjoyed taking walks by the lake, exploring the woods and taking the time to just rest and breathe.
<br />
<br />Rather than finding their inner Zen master, the retreat helped our students discover their inner child. Perhaps they found the childhood that so many of them were denied as children. They began to play—running, jumping, tickling and teasing. They laughed with the giddy abandon of 11-year olds. They shed their city masks and pretenses, their solemnity, their leave-me-alone body language. They all seemed so happy.
<br />
<br />During our closing ritual, each person thanked every person in the room for something they had directly or indirectly given us: a smile when we needed it or the courage to try something new. Once again, the noise level rose substantially as words, hugs and tears passed between us. But as I gazed as the Buddha bearing witness to all of it, I could swear that his subtle smile broadened and that his laughter reverberated softly through the room. THE RECIPROCITY FOUNDATIONhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981204814458492520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022112578745201753.post-85058249654470163942011-05-09T11:15:00.000-07:002011-05-09T19:26:48.124-07:00Reciprocity Youth Filmmakers Attend 2011 Emmys<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxUZyUUX2oNTAXbrXuT4TSMuXvAoVFmTQKsAl_PgWb1_CkhLGuzizCHkfX-d-V2nDFMw390bu-hLHM42Fn6oDqTrEn6is9B91S3djtLF_JqIxFzNsAoOnAdsq55nfJlZPZ7cVKXA_B3o/s1600/IMG_0744.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxUZyUUX2oNTAXbrXuT4TSMuXvAoVFmTQKsAl_PgWb1_CkhLGuzizCHkfX-d-V2nDFMw390bu-hLHM42Fn6oDqTrEn6is9B91S3djtLF_JqIxFzNsAoOnAdsq55nfJlZPZ7cVKXA_B3o/s320/IMG_0744.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604908232483994658" /></a><br />Contributed by Lyssette Horne, youth filmmaker and Emmy nominee<br /><br /><br />I was excited and nervous to attend the Emmy Awards in New York City. I mean, the best of the film and television industry was going to be there. Being nominated for an Emmy award on our first documentary was surprising and humbling too. It reminded me that we all have so much to be thankful for, and so much more work to do.<br /><br />Being recognized for this documentary, meant much more than being acknowledged for being a filmmaker. It gave viewers proof that if WE can triumph against homelessness, than ANYONE can. <br /><br />We told our stories honestly--with the goal of touching people's hearts and minds. And we need to continue to do that until all youth have safe housing, either with or outside their families of origin.<br /><br />We made this documentary to create change. To bring to light the many issues that so many runaway and throw-away youth face. What so many didn't know was that the grueling film schedule--the early mornings and late nights--were even harder for us to cope with because we didn't have the luxury of safe housing or supportive family members.<br /><br />But we poured our hearts out in the film to put any shame we felt about our past to rest. So that we could start to live free from those fears and doubts that plague so many of us. We wanted to inspire other homeless youth to want more than to just "get by." do more than just get by. To show the world that we can thrive in the face of adversity. <br /><br />The Reciprocity Foundation has not only inspired me to change and grow, but to demand better for others who are experiencing hardship. I will always be an activist as long as youth are kicked out of their homes, or are forced out onto the street or are living in crisis. INVISIBLE won't be the last project we work on. There is still so much to be said, and we have so much more hope to share with the world.THE RECIPROCITY FOUNDATIONhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981204814458492520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022112578745201753.post-76943020890678424162011-02-24T11:08:00.000-08:002011-02-25T21:51:08.057-08:00FROM THE STREETS...TO THE RED CARPET! HOMELESS YOUTH WIN EMMY NOMINATION!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0WTdUr9A9s8EpJBAVZQ_sVqlt6w5M0KRiKtBFMAmmaViQJJF1fLiP_ytrmvnTMgP4l1BdhVmPCtysUxkhWENZkcXLKDy0KkEhR30cK5McR_lb8mONnn3rXl5OLu1WxqmQTwXHAb8qPs/s1600/450x364-alg_lysettehorne.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 324px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0WTdUr9A9s8EpJBAVZQ_sVqlt6w5M0KRiKtBFMAmmaViQJJF1fLiP_ytrmvnTMgP4l1BdhVmPCtysUxkhWENZkcXLKDy0KkEhR30cK5McR_lb8mONnn3rXl5OLu1WxqmQTwXHAb8qPs/s400/450x364-alg_lysettehorne.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577336014648093122" /></a><br />February 23, 2011 — They spent their teenage years living on the streets of New York City. Today, a group of formerly homeless adolescents is one step away from winning an Emmy for the gritty, critically acclaimed documentary they produced about their own lives. <br /><br />“Invisible: The Diaries of New York’s Homeless Youth” was created by—and inspired by—teens and young adults in The Reciprocity Foundation’s program for homeless youth. The half-hour “mini-doc” originally aired on New York’s PIX 11 channel to an audience of roughly 700,000 viewers in late 2009, and it has now been nominated for an Emmy Award by New York Chapter of National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The program offers an intimate, sometimes unsettling look at the enormous economic and cultural challenges homeless teenagers face in their search to find roofs over their heads—along with safety and solace in their lives. <br /><br />Each year, up to 2.8 million young people experience homelessness. Reciprocity Foundation co-founder Adam Bucko says, “This is a huge victory for homeless youth. We’ve spent the past seven years convincing corporations, governments and the public that homeless youth aren’t hopeless—they have enormous talent, creativity and potential.”<br /><br />From shooting video to writing copy and overseeing edit sessions, the formerly homeless young people who co-produced “Invisible” mastered the spectrum of television production skills. WNBC news reporter Chris Glorioso, an Emmy award-winning journalist himself, served as a mentor and co-producer on the project.<br /><br />“I have rarely seen a group of young adults so fearless and so focused,” says Glorioso. “These kids, who spent their formative years sleeping on sidewalks and on strangers’ couches, conceptualized a piece of television that is both heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time. That’s not easy, even for a seasoned documentary maker.”<br /><br />The Reciprocity Foundation students undertook this project in order to highlight an often-ignored and somewhat taboo issue; the film documents personal experiences of youth homelessness as only once-homeless teens can capture them. <br /><br />The show was co-written, co-produced and partially shot by seven of Reciprocity's formerly homeless teens: Lyssette Horne, Selassie Samuel, Eleet Lucheonnie, Aaron McBride, Dorian Paat, Bobby Beavers and Jennifer Carter. <br /><br />Told mostly from a first-person perspective, “Invisible” explores the causes of youth homelessness that arise when youngsters are orphaned, must flee chronic physical and sexual abuse, are thrown out because of their sexual orientation, or are simply trying to escape overwhelming economic dilemmas. The homeless youth featured in the documentary talk openly about the circumstances that made them homeless and the Reciprocity Foundation’s unique formula for lifting kids out of crisis and into successful careers.<br /><br /> Reciprocity Foundation’s co-founder Taz Tagore says, “Homeless youth can break the cycle of poverty, but only if you enable them to have a career goal that excites them and leverages their talents. In a very real way, working on this documentary has done just that for our students. They were homeless just months ago, but now they can honestly say they’ve produced an Emmy-nominated television show in the nation’s top media market.” <br /><br />Documentary co-producer Lyssette Horne spent two years homeless and is now making a career in television production. "When I teamed up with Chris, PIX and the Reciprocity Foundation, I started to realize my dream career was in media activism through documentary making,” she says. “After helping write and produce ‘Invisible,’ I know that I can make a difference with the stories and experiences I portray.”<br /><br />Today, these youth are college graduates, filmmakers, activists and community leaders. Not only that, they are mentors to the younger kids in Reciprocity’s program—demonstrating how success has enabled them to be effective advocates and role models for other homeless kids.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/17831809?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="398" height="265" frameborder="0"></iframe><br /><br />ABOUT US: The Reciprocity Foundation was co-founded by Adam Bucko and Taz Tagore to implement sustainable solutions to homelessness. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit has won numerous awards for its innovative approaches to helping homeless youth break the cycle of poverty. Using an integrated approach—one that combines job training with business leaders, access to college education, yoga, meditation, media training and whole-person counseling—the Reciprocity Foundation has helped hundreds of homeless youth reach their full potential.<br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><script type="text/javascript">var addthis_pub="reciprocityfoundation";</script><br /><a expr:name='data:post.title' expr:id='data:post.url' onmouseover='return addthis_open(this, "", this.id, this.name);' onmouseout='addthis_close()' onclick='return addthis_sendto()'><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" width="125" height="16" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0"/></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/200/addthis_widget.js"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->THE RECIPROCITY FOUNDATIONhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981204814458492520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022112578745201753.post-72056825994763222262010-09-21T12:30:00.000-07:002010-09-21T12:41:38.269-07:00New Film & Media Training Program for Youth<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsz1cBIivlh7Eoy_WKZ0vaeZ7nJqlmypPE0jylMehteu2FW8Z0_WaTjR85fr90Om2IIiBXH6XRDGJvsDr68FGM7duBra-dp27QjZK9X6FkJ_UBbnlSyx9Ujwe0peUa4ubr9MKWJ92FpuA/s1600/Film+and+Media+Reciprocity+Flyer+Final.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 269px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsz1cBIivlh7Eoy_WKZ0vaeZ7nJqlmypPE0jylMehteu2FW8Z0_WaTjR85fr90Om2IIiBXH6XRDGJvsDr68FGM7duBra-dp27QjZK9X6FkJ_UBbnlSyx9Ujwe0peUa4ubr9MKWJ92FpuA/s400/Film+and+Media+Reciprocity+Flyer+Final.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519454028984974242" /></a><br />Are you an aspiring film producer, film/tv/music video director, or media activist? Do you have ideas that can change the world? Are you ready to take charge of your SUCCESS?<br /><br />•Study with award winning filmmakers and media activists from companies like MTV, NEW YORK TIMES, SPIKE TV, CW/PIX and ESSENCE STUDIOS<br />•Learn directing, screenwriting, cinematography, editing, and producing in a hands-on program <br />•Get coaching from business leaders to succeed in the competitive media industry <br />•Work on media projects and have access to internships <br />•Apply to and get financial aid to enroll in COLLEGE <br /><br />ALL CLASSES ARE FREE!!!<br />Open to youth between 16 and 21<br /><br />Classes start soon!!!<br />For more info call: Tel: 347.546.2670<br /><br />•EXPRESS YOURSELF•BE YOU•CREATE•<br />MAKE A LIVING DOING WHAT YOU LOVE <br /> <br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><script type="text/javascript">var addthis_pub="reciprocityfoundation";</script><br /><a expr:name='data:post.title' expr:id='data:post.url' onmouseover='return addthis_open(this, "", this.id, this.name);' onmouseout='addthis_close()' onclick='return addthis_sendto()'><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" width="125" height="16" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0"/></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/200/addthis_widget.js"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->THE RECIPROCITY FOUNDATIONhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981204814458492520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022112578745201753.post-26385517864065851752009-10-09T06:08:00.000-07:002009-10-10T23:24:02.353-07:00INVISIBLE: THE DIARIES OF NEW YORK’S HOMELESS YOUTH airs on Saturday, October 10th at 10:30pm exclusively on CW/PIX. <embed type='application/x-shockwave-flash' salign='l' flashvars='&titleAvailable=true&playerAvailable=true&searchAvailable=false&shareFlag=N&singleURL=http://wpix.vidcms.trb.com/alfresco/service/edge/content/3372a0e8-a8c5-4e1a-93ea-9074c17192f8&propName=wpix.com&hostURL=http://www.wpix.com&swfPath=http://wpix.vid.trb.com/player/&omAccount=tribglobal&omnitureServer=wpix.com' allowscriptaccess='always' allowfullscreen='true' menu='true' name='PaperVideoTest' bgcolor='#ffffff' devicefont='false' wmode='transparent' scale='showall' loop='true' play='true' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer' quality='high' src='http://wpix.vid.trb.com/player/PaperVideoTest.swf' align='middle' height='450' width='300'></embed><br /><br />From homeless youths to PIX producers… they spent years living on the streets, now seven of New York City’s formerly homeless teens are trading their troubled pasts for public service with INVISIBLE: THE DIARIES OF NEW YORK’S HOMELESS YOUTH a 30-minute documentary to air on Saturday, October 10th at 10:30pm.<br /> <br />This TV special is the result of a partnership between CW/PIX and the Reciprocity Foundation. The Reciprocity Foundation, a not-for-profit organization known for innovative approaches in assisting homeless youth, helps students to turn their passions and talents into careers, which in turn enables them to break the cycle of poverty. At the Reciprocity Foundation, youth create films, music videos, fashion designs and other creative assignments with industry leaders who coach, train and mentor. Executive Director Taz Tagore said, “The CW/PIX partnership is the perfect example of how New York City leaders can help homeless youth to achieve their career goals and have a positive impact on the world.”<br /> <br />This special project included student collaboration with industry leader Chris Glorioso, an Emmy award winning PIX News Reporter. Reciprocity Foundation students undertook this project in order to highlight an often-ignored and somewhat taboo issue; the film documents personal experiences of youth homelessness as only formerly homeless teens could tell it. The show was co-written, co-produced, and partially shot by 7 of Reciprocity's formerly homeless teens themselves (Lysette Horne, Selassie Samuel, Eleet Lucheonnie, Aaron McBride, Dorian Paat, Bobby Beavers and Jennifer Carter).<br /> <br />Told mostly from a first person perspective, the program explores and demystifies some causes of youth homelessness: being orphaned, fleeing chronic physical and sexual abuse, or simply trying to escape overwhelming economic dilemmas. Each year, up to 2.8 million youth experience homelessness. INVISIBLE: THE DIARIES OF NEW YORK’S HOMELESS YOUTH examines the issues that perpetuate youth homelessness and details the Reciprocity Foundation’s unique formula for lifting kids out of crisis and into successful careers.<br /> <br />Reciprocity Foundation’s Managing Director Adam Bucko said, “Homeless youth can break the cycle of poverty, but only if you enable them to have a career goal that excites them and leverages their talents. In a very real way, working on this documentary has done just that for our students. They were homeless just months ago, but now they can honestly say they’ve produced a television show in the nation’s top media market.”<br /> <br />According to Lyssette Horne, one of the film’s co-producers who previously spent 2 years homeless, "When I teamed up with Chris, PIX and the Reciprocity Foundation, I started to realize my dream career was in media activism through documentary making. After helping write and produce “Invisible,” I know that I can make a difference with the stories and experiences I portray.”<br /> <br />INVISIBLE: THE DIARIES OF NEW YORK’S HOMELESS YOUTH airs on Saturday, October 10th at 10:30pm exclusively on CW/PIX.<br /> <br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><script type="text/javascript">var addthis_pub="reciprocityfoundation";</script><br /><a expr:name='data:post.title' expr:id='data:post.url' onmouseover='return addthis_open(this, "", this.id, this.name);' onmouseout='addthis_close()' onclick='return addthis_sendto()'><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" width="125" height="16" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0"/></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/200/addthis_widget.js"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->THE RECIPROCITY FOUNDATIONhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981204814458492520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022112578745201753.post-53661965787324266492009-10-02T09:27:00.000-07:002009-10-02T10:41:17.941-07:00News From The Reciprocity Foundation!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtW4WvrY9-_EGKIS914eVAnjaW4PYspNAAbDaZpI9fCfnkyUxa_osroT8jgAzm_9aexjWRGNCDQkl9T7TKFRJjMLsUfAuQPU4GC-Sh6F4WV-ppLEite1GJAYjOs-8I0rhKw5IE7_K1w_4/s1600-h/cover_story.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 390px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtW4WvrY9-_EGKIS914eVAnjaW4PYspNAAbDaZpI9fCfnkyUxa_osroT8jgAzm_9aexjWRGNCDQkl9T7TKFRJjMLsUfAuQPU4GC-Sh6F4WV-ppLEite1GJAYjOs-8I0rhKw5IE7_K1w_4/s400/cover_story.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388040771919927746" /></a><br />Although it’s been a while since you’ve heard from us, we’ve been extremely active in helping homeless and at-risk youth transform their lives and fulfill their hopes, dreams, and aspirations! Their example conveys a powerful message to others in a similar situation: “If we can achieve, so can you!” We’ve also been placing greater emphasis on our students’ inner transformations, providing coaching from renowned corporate leaders along with transformative counseling sessions. In addition, the timeless wisdom and practicality of yoga and meditation, as tools to deal with life’s complexity, has become a more integral part of our program. As a result, we’re seeing more and more of our students develop a natural inner drive to become agents of positive change themselves!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iFjwxDtuK7s&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iFjwxDtuK7s&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /> <br />Over the last few months, Reciprocity Foundation has been featured in KFC’s “Hometown Heroes” campaign featured on BET, which reached millions with our message: it is possible for homeless and at-risk youths to be transformed into creative leaders. We’ve also made the cover of Gay City News, and received the “2009 Award for Excellence in Educational Enhancement” from The New York Life Foundation. We had the honor of being selected, among the hundreds of organizations, to represent the Borough of Manhattan as an example of transformation in the lives of young people, preparing them for the workplace, success in higher education, and responsible citizenship.<br /> <br />We’ve always believed that success is not just about the individual; instead, it needs to be extended to the community. Our students are truly embracing this vision. Our former student, Isis King, an America’s Next Top Model contestant, recently appeared on Larry King Live and the Tyra Banks Show, to educate America about gender justice and re-define cultural concepts of beauty.<br /> <br />Dorian Jay Paat traveled to Africa as an HIV activist. Having lost his mother to AIDS, Dorian used his personal experience to reach out to others. While in Namibia, he appeared on two national TV programs, youth radio programs, and spoke at the U.N. <br /> <br />Additionally, Dorian met with local HIV+ youths, inspiring them to use their struggles to promote positive change.<br /> <br />Lyssette Horne recently had a successful photo exhibit at the trendy <br />Jiva Muktea Vegan Cafe. She photographed homeless youths of NYC, re-imagining them as Indian deities. This powerful exhibit, “Light in All of Us”, shared the vision that we all have unique and precious gifts that can inspire and transform.<br /> <br />The potential for our students to share their visions of hope is clearly starting to catch fire and the future possibilities are very exciting! Stay tuned!<br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><script type="text/javascript">var addthis_pub="reciprocityfoundation";</script><br /><a expr:name='data:post.title' expr:id='data:post.url' onmouseover='return addthis_open(this, "", this.id, this.name);' onmouseout='addthis_close()' onclick='return addthis_sendto()'><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" width="125" height="16" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0"/></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/200/addthis_widget.js"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->THE RECIPROCITY FOUNDATIONhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981204814458492520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022112578745201753.post-41878835497356684472009-05-04T15:06:00.000-07:002009-05-06T16:39:49.380-07:00Formerly Homeless Artist Using Creativity to Empower the Community!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsm115u1TOc62czKzCpggHoe8k41L-nHr_tZYel2vjHTNJGOoDAP0i6DUz4sTDky17dVUNCrhtBKaouhjx3-rui4dk7JofYFvW53nHJrISj0z9To7P1V-s7Ddgn5Ux9zHUDS2LLbWdeg/s1600-h/FLIER+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsm115u1TOc62czKzCpggHoe8k41L-nHr_tZYel2vjHTNJGOoDAP0i6DUz4sTDky17dVUNCrhtBKaouhjx3-rui4dk7JofYFvW53nHJrISj0z9To7P1V-s7Ddgn5Ux9zHUDS2LLbWdeg/s400/FLIER+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332094172885365794" /></a><br />NYC’s popular Jiva Mukti Yoga Center, located in Union Square, is currently featuring the photographic work of Lyssette Horne. The exhibit, “Light in All of Us,” celebrates diversity and the potential to cultivate love, creativity, energy, and acceptance.<br /> <br />“The opportunity to show my work at Jiva Mukti is incredible. So many New Yorkers pass through the studio. My wish is that everyone who sees these photos will be able to take something from them. Hopefully the exhibit will make a meaningful impact and invite viewers to see the world a little differently,” says Horne.<br /> <br />Horne seeks to illuminate the universal experience through her photography. Many of her subjects are, like herself, formerly homeless youth who have gone on to embrace their talents, dreams, and aspirations and thus transform their circumstances. Horne re-imagines these people as Indian deities, inviting the viewer to recognize what she sees as the essential goodness and boundless potential of every human being. She challenges her viewers to extend compassion to all people with whom they interact in their daily lives, especially those so often overlooked by society. <br /> <br />About the Artist:<br /> <br />Lyssette Horne is a formerly homeless youth, artist, poet, photographer, social activist and vegan chef who uses her experiences and creativity to empower people and communities. Her photography and activism have been featured in Yoga Journal, Yoga+ Magazine, and Gay City News. Her story has been featured in “In Your Shoes,” a documentary film that was named an official selection for the 2009 New York Independent Film and Video Festival and the Tribeca Film Festival. Horne is a founder of Border Line Arts Collective, an organization that uses new media to empower gay and lesbian artists. She also serves as a mentor to homeless youth at the Reciprocity Foundation, a program from which she graduated in 2007.<br />Written by Sarah Autumn Feeley <br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><script type="text/javascript">var addthis_pub="reciprocityfoundation";</script><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=20" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onclick="return addthis_sendto()"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" width="125" height="16" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0"/></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/200/addthis_widget.js"></script><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->THE RECIPROCITY FOUNDATIONhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981204814458492520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022112578745201753.post-50084790473032168922009-03-30T10:31:00.000-07:002009-03-30T15:49:59.514-07:00Another World is Possible!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIcCyrTz1PzTJe9_248XyJ-bPXVl4Bcv10GSMvZGVEGQt3eZLxoWFqIsQ3hzklvWWzHSdrzeBTfYwYLop91qRVPbcGs31sNHDTlbdpjM1o64IlIK0LZQxOTMFkhrFDPc7Abo8mZQpDWM/s1600-h/031309_recip_0326.4c9irxbyfrac4wwkok8socsk0.ep7cjp9ulygos8wk0488osss4.th.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIcCyrTz1PzTJe9_248XyJ-bPXVl4Bcv10GSMvZGVEGQt3eZLxoWFqIsQ3hzklvWWzHSdrzeBTfYwYLop91qRVPbcGs31sNHDTlbdpjM1o64IlIK0LZQxOTMFkhrFDPc7Abo8mZQpDWM/s400/031309_recip_0326.4c9irxbyfrac4wwkok8socsk0.ep7cjp9ulygos8wk0488osss4.th.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319116681473817874" /></a><br />On the sixteenth floor of a lower Manhattan office building, in a rectangular room, on a tangerine wall, next to a gleaming white door, hangs a poster-sized piece of paper. Hand written in navy blue marker is the following quote: “Not only is another world possible, She is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing. -Arundhati Roy”<br /><br />While few days in New York City-not even this relatively calm and overcast March morning-can be described as quiet, in this room, the small headquarters of the Reciprocity Foundation, you can still hear the breath of change. It is on the lips and in the words of Adam Bucko.<br /><br />Bucko, 33, is one of the co-founders of the Reciprocity Foundation. It is an organization aimed at providing homeless and high risk youth with skills to not only exit the social service system, but also find careers in what he calls the Creative Industries—fields like new media, social entrepreneurship, design, marketing, and green economy.<br /><br />“Our goal was not to just help them to become successful,” Bucko says in an even tempo, words tinged with a Polish accent, “but to turn them into change makers so they can go back to the shelters, the neighborhoods, mentor other kids, and create opportunities for their whole community.”<br /><br />The kids he speaks about is a diverse group of young adults, ranging in age from barely teens to early twenties. The majority of students are of color and are LGBTQ, a reflection of the homeless youth demographic in New York City. This year, Bucko says, the foundation has worked with over 300 kids.<br /><br />According to recent data released by New York City, 36,000 people sleep in shelters each night-16,000 of which are children. Thousands more are sleep on the streets, in the subway, or other public places. These figures are the highest in the city’s history.<br /><br />By these statistics, it would be hard for any organization to measure success by the amount of youth reached. Instead, the foundation measures success by what it can help the youth accomplish. Students of the Reciprocity Foundation have moved on to colleges like Parsons and Babson. They have earned internships and jobs at Fortune 500 companies. Their most recognizable, a transgender model named Isis, reached fame through the television show “America’s Next Top Model.”<br /><br />“I would say that a lot of our students have had life changing experiences with an organization within our community,” Bucko says. “To me, that’s what success is all about.”<br /><br />Click<a href="http://www.digitalstoragespace.com/09/orcutt/photo/reciprocityss/"> here</a> for slideshow.<br /><br /><br />Text and Photos by Collin Orcutt<br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><script type="text/javascript">var addthis_pub="reciprocityfoundation";</script><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=20" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onclick="return addthis_sendto()"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" width="125" height="16" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0"/></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/200/addthis_widget.js"></script><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->THE RECIPROCITY FOUNDATIONhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981204814458492520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022112578745201753.post-35422692113645216542009-03-26T17:02:00.000-07:002009-05-06T16:40:55.640-07:00GREEN FASHION by homeless designers!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTU3weelxOfr3I9LbrnYrpIegZiDyy4SBVL7BlzulgYDf7ZQjVErPb_GB0XP7IkUbQOa2Q7EMpi-GjRVTnsZwu3tHQQFj7bsEMgpAJ6RXsRwDEezpPbIBrxiyt6Seovxf6jnPowTZT1x0/s1600-h/zzz.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 171px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTU3weelxOfr3I9LbrnYrpIegZiDyy4SBVL7BlzulgYDf7ZQjVErPb_GB0XP7IkUbQOa2Q7EMpi-GjRVTnsZwu3tHQQFj7bsEMgpAJ6RXsRwDEezpPbIBrxiyt6Seovxf6jnPowTZT1x0/s200/zzz.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317655146197767490" /></a><br />What if someday being decked from head to toe in the <span style="font-weight:bold;">latest trends</span> and carrying around a copy of <span style="font-weight:bold;">Vogue</span> could <span style="font-weight:bold;">send a message</span> <span style="font-weight:bold;">to the world</span> that you are <span style="font-weight:bold;">green, sustainable, sweatshop free </span>and committed to <span style="font-weight:bold;">helping your community</span>?<br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Fashion</span> gets criticized for being superficial, but people like <span style="font-weight:bold;">Lauren Hope Silverstein</span> see the potential it has to be anything but. <br /><br />Silverstein, who designs for a <span style="font-weight:bold;">leading fashion house</span>, recently met with <span style="font-weight:bold;">Reciprocity students</span> to discuss <span style="font-weight:bold;">green fashion</span> and <span style="font-weight:bold;">design</span>.<br /> <br />The general feeling in the room was that while we all want to give back and carefully use our precious natural resources, nobody wants to sacrifice on style, and nobody has to.<br /> <br />For young, <span style="font-weight:bold;">homeless designers</span>, this conversation was particularly important. Having experienced so much difficulty, these youth know that in order to feel good about their contributions, they want their <span style="font-weight:bold;">work</span> to <span style="font-weight:bold;">tell their stories</span> and <span style="font-weight:bold;">help others</span>.<br /> <br />The reassurance that designing the perfect pair of jeans has the possibility to send a positive message of awareness and change, and keep the planet healthy, further inspired these already motivated young adults.<br /><br /> <span style="font-weight:bold;">Reciprocity</span> has been offering training in <span style="font-weight:bold;">green</span> and <span style="font-weight:bold;">socially responsible</span> start-ups since 2004, long before the trend truly took off, but as Terry Swack of Sustainable Minds pointed out "the challenge is the lack of accessible, easy to use information that design teams can integrate into their processes to design greener products."<br /> <br />Reciprocity is helping to bridge that gap, and by asking practical questions, Reciprocity students are pushing industry professionals to articulate just how we can all work together to make this trend the standard.<br /><br />Silverstein, for example, is offering students guidance on portfolios, and recently led a Reciprocity project that resulted in the creation of a <span style="font-weight:bold;">chic, eye-catching, green, organic, sweatshop-free tote bag</span>, sales of which <span style="font-weight:bold;">benefit</span> programming for <span style="font-weight:bold;">homeless youth</span>. Now that is one multi-tasking accessory!<br />Written by Sarah Autumn Feeley <!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><script type="text/javascript">var addthis_pub="reciprocityfoundation";</script><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=20" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onclick="return addthis_sendto()"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" width="125" height="16" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0"/></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/200/addthis_widget.js"></script><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->THE RECIPROCITY FOUNDATIONhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981204814458492520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022112578745201753.post-22107996134731871292008-10-06T09:36:00.001-07:002009-03-26T17:00:07.957-07:00Founders of the Reciprocity Foundation named "Heroes of the Week"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgx-hGLLb464YQdfa0qzk7A18xYA8MJBUUaqJLL7CRgrdt8uJEmi9ZNXH58iszMYlP1s5KZyCMphYdcAOcUy6rGI07_WVopa1bVtzAVDicpuNcgEd6JE8UJ1122fUKVGNxjHPtyuyTmc/s1600-h/shine+global+blog+image2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgx-hGLLb464YQdfa0qzk7A18xYA8MJBUUaqJLL7CRgrdt8uJEmi9ZNXH58iszMYlP1s5KZyCMphYdcAOcUy6rGI07_WVopa1bVtzAVDicpuNcgEd6JE8UJ1122fUKVGNxjHPtyuyTmc/s400/shine+global+blog+image2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254130290590494178" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Reciprocity Foundation founders <span style="font-weight: bold;">Taz Tagore</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Adam Bucko</span> were recently named "<span style="font-weight: bold;">Heroes of the Week</span>" by <span style="font-weight: bold;">Shine Global</span>, a non-profit dedicated to ending the abuse and exploitation of children. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Shine Global</span> is internationally renowned for its groundbreaking media and film advocacy work on behalf of children. Among many of their distinguished projects is the film <span style="font-weight: bold;">War/Dance</span>, that was nominated for the <span style="font-weight: bold;">2008 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature</span>.<br /><br />To read the "Heroes of the Week" profile go to <a href="http://www.shineglobal.org/?cat=12">http://www.shineglobal.org/?cat=12</a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Photograph by Peter Turnley<br /></span><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div><script type="text/javascript">var addthis_pub="reciprocityfoundation";</script><br /><a expr:name='data:post.title' expr:id='data:post.url' onmouseover='return addthis_open(this, "", this.id, this.name);' onmouseout='addthis_close()' onclick='return addthis_sendto()'><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" width="125" height="16" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0"/></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/200/addthis_widget.js"></script></div><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->THE RECIPROCITY FOUNDATIONhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981204814458492520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022112578745201753.post-39748097102362836372008-09-23T13:41:00.001-07:002009-03-28T13:02:08.141-07:00VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT - Sparlha Swa<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCS0jDFArSgmqCclXimaC7NjS2deOHeROCcX7et0SY90hrKPA9LRr8Kyh7lPsTCtpTLFmB29eBq7qs-ZyDeYn1PYLgZFSeWARLUA1xm3jTn06sLokQ_9lk3urXplsV1pYxd-dhS2J0cGM/s1600-h/download.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCS0jDFArSgmqCclXimaC7NjS2deOHeROCcX7et0SY90hrKPA9LRr8Kyh7lPsTCtpTLFmB29eBq7qs-ZyDeYn1PYLgZFSeWARLUA1xm3jTn06sLokQ_9lk3urXplsV1pYxd-dhS2J0cGM/s400/download.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249319944873015378" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sparlha Swa</span> is an internationally touring alternative soul singer and songwriter. Her songs appeared on the hit shows "<span style="font-weight: bold;">Girlfriends</span>" and "<span style="font-weight: bold;">BETJ</span>". She is currently part of the new critically-acclaimed musical "<span style="font-weight: bold;">Fela</span>" In New York City.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Q: <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Tell us about what you do and why you volunteer at Reciprocity?</span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A:</span> I'm a singer and musician who supports and partners with life-affirming, art-based projects and organizations.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Q: <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">How are you involved with Reciprocity?</span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A:</span> The fantastic folks at <span style="font-weight: bold;">Reciprocity</span> were gracious enough to invite me to give a short performance one day, just me and my guitar. I ended up swapping songs and lyrics back and forth with the kids, listening to their process of recording that summer.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Q: <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Can you give an example of an experience you found rewarding at Reciprocity?</span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A:</span> The energy, talent, brilliance, ambition and love in the room that day was amazing. I left so inspired.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/G5pM8Aq-sKo&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/G5pM8Aq-sKo&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><script type="text/javascript">var addthis_pub="reciprocityfoundation";</script><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=20" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onclick="return addthis_sendto()"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" width="125" height="16" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0"/></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/200/addthis_widget.js"></script><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->THE RECIPROCITY FOUNDATIONhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981204814458492520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022112578745201753.post-55664924551974936112008-09-03T20:38:00.000-07:002009-03-28T15:12:00.530-07:00Isis raises the bar on what it means to be a model on the season premiere of ANTM<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcucXOTxTHa370CKgGjmQ97pNNcqjO05nkhhPA46kupNYaP-xmlOlc2LkLM0jlSSGCryZMrzY8UMGIIMKezubkG90lfnpXD4BVwT_zwQqeALK8bTIs94N-2OTDGGzY3Mv08cOeXJgrG8Q/s1600-h/isis+image.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcucXOTxTHa370CKgGjmQ97pNNcqjO05nkhhPA46kupNYaP-xmlOlc2LkLM0jlSSGCryZMrzY8UMGIIMKezubkG90lfnpXD4BVwT_zwQqeALK8bTIs94N-2OTDGGzY3Mv08cOeXJgrG8Q/s400/isis+image.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242010715821693186" border="0" /></a><br />The first episode of cycle 11 of <span style="font-weight: bold;">America’s Next Top Model</span> aired, featuring <span style="font-weight: bold;">R</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">eciprocity Foundation</span> graduate <span style="font-weight: bold;">Isis</span>. Although brimming with controversy, Isis’s performance illustrated that she had more than earned her right to be a contestant. Judge on the show, noted fashion photographer <span style="font-weight: bold;">Nigel Barker</span> echoed these sentiments – “I think with the transgender issue it’s very easy to caricature someone like <span style="font-weight: bold;">Isis</span>. But when I spoke with her the other day she really knew her light, she knew what to do. and she was smart. She’s got real emotion and feeling, and I think it is because she has lived.” <span>The </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">R</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">eciprocity Foundation</span> has worked with <span style="font-weight: bold;">Isis</span> since the fall of 2007. She has never let her bouts with adversity as a homeless youth deter her on her path.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Isis</span> was a standout. Not because she is transgender, but rather as a talented contestant who was completely prepared for all the challenges presented. She embodied all the principles that the <span style="font-weight: bold;">R</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">eciprocity Foundation</span> teaches in our program. She arrived with an illustration for <span style="font-weight: bold;">Tyra</span>, demonstrating her technical ability for design. She impressed <span style="font-weight: bold;">Nigel</span> in her one-on-one interview with her knowledge of the modeling industry. When contestants threw uncomfortable questions at her, she was calm under fire.<br /><br />We at the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Reciprocity Foundation</span> are ecstatic about her success and are sure that her talent, dedication and perseverance will yield great results.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9WkDHy2d65o&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9WkDHy2d65o&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><script type="text/javascript">var addthis_pub="reciprocityfoundation";</script><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=20" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onclick="return addthis_sendto()"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" width="125" height="16" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0"/></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/200/addthis_widget.js"></script><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->THE RECIPROCITY FOUNDATIONhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981204814458492520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022112578745201753.post-42049909226915070012008-08-20T06:14:00.000-07:002009-03-26T20:13:39.561-07:00Reciprocity Foundation's program graduate breaks new ground as the first transgender contestant on America's Next Top Model<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsXAKEKAL2SeGv3yia6v5UuiFFwYwnRtL4EUc4B4ahHojDA_8ziZMhApMDSc3MGesEdj_OnHfisPePNHmcpBGv6UjIieVXUVSjS7coH2-2_CTJswFBi_NRVI4NtW-kmvmP_UWuRbsX0M/s1600-h/isis+blog+image.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsXAKEKAL2SeGv3yia6v5UuiFFwYwnRtL4EUc4B4ahHojDA_8ziZMhApMDSc3MGesEdj_OnHfisPePNHmcpBGv6UjIieVXUVSjS7coH2-2_CTJswFBi_NRVI4NtW-kmvmP_UWuRbsX0M/s400/isis+blog+image.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236600667310368114" border="0" /></a><br />The <span style="font-weight: bold;">Reciprocity Foundation</span> is proud to announce that one of our recent program graduates, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Isis</span>, is a contestant on Season 11 of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Tyra Banks'</span> top rated show, <span style="font-weight: bold;">America’s Next Top Model</span>. Reciprocity partnered with <span style="font-weight: bold;">ANTM</span> during season 10, for a photo shoot aimed at educating Americans on youth homelessness. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Isis</span> was one of two transgender students whom Reciprocity selected to appear on the prime-time reality show. Reciprocity’s Executive Director, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Taz Tagore</span> said, “We wanted America to see that beauty doesn’t have any limitations.”<br /><br />After appearing as a homeless youth model with other Reciprocity students Isis was invited to be a contestant on the show. She is the first transgender model selected for <span style="font-weight: bold;">Tyra Banks'</span> hit show. “<span style="font-weight: bold;">Isis</span> is a perfect example of how a person can transform their life when offered support, opportunity and coaching,” said <span style="font-weight: bold;">Adam Bucko</span>, Reciprocity’s Managing Director. He added, “Her success reaffirms the work of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Reciprocity Foundation</span>.”<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" <br /><br /><br />value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OO6_T9RKqgA&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OO6_T9RKqgA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><script type="text/javascript">var addthis_pub="reciprocityfoundation";</script><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=20" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onclick="return addthis_sendto()"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" width="125" height="16" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0"/></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/200/addthis_widget.js"></script><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->THE RECIPROCITY FOUNDATIONhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981204814458492520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022112578745201753.post-41550354023864133062008-07-17T09:32:00.000-07:002009-03-26T20:13:53.350-07:00Gay City News features Reciprocity Foundation and Lysette Horne<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hv97cyx36ig16PlZcmU4sju5wggvUwKkhW9EWn4P3tNuSnkyBnzErl6y8AMuj2fQq9U6RsCkXmhisQyK9PtvvF1Mp1kPaD6oM8t5ciec92jdXHMNb-eA1g3LL7QlSyIXQtoWoibgR-s/s1600-h/photo_proj2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hv97cyx36ig16PlZcmU4sju5wggvUwKkhW9EWn4P3tNuSnkyBnzErl6y8AMuj2fQq9U6RsCkXmhisQyK9PtvvF1Mp1kPaD6oM8t5ciec92jdXHMNb-eA1g3LL7QlSyIXQtoWoibgR-s/s400/photo_proj2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224022256530404034" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />The Reciprocity Foundation</span> has recently been featured in a number of publications and blogs including <span style="font-weight: bold;">New York Magazine, LGBT Youth News Blog</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Gay City News.</span> The articles have focused on the successes of our programs and the achievements of many program graduates.<br /><br />Click on the link below to read an article written by <span style="font-weight: bold;">Winnie McCroy</span> for <span style="font-weight: bold;">Gay City News</span>. It features an outline of an event held at Reciprocity as well as an interview with one of our graduates, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Lysette Horne</span>. Lysette graduated from our program last year and has gone on to lead many projects for the Foundation, including two photo shoots she conceptualized and directed.<br /><br /><a href="http://gaycitynews.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19806837&BRD=2729&PAG=461&dept_id=569341&rfi=6">http://gaycitynews.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19806837&BRD=2729&PAG=461&dept_id=569341&rfi=6</a><br /><br />Lysette said "All of those experiences helped me to know what's possible, to have an idea of what is going to make me happy, and to have a good plan for my future. I believe that I am a catalyst for change. I am doing more with my talent than I have ever done before. I no longer dream about becoming a photographer or an artist - I call myself that."<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Image of Lysette Horne by Peter Turnley</span></span><br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><script type="text/javascript">var addthis_pub="reciprocityfoundation";</script><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=20" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onclick="return addthis_sendto()"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" width="125" height="16" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0"/></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/200/addthis_widget.js"></script><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->THE RECIPROCITY FOUNDATIONhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981204814458492520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022112578745201753.post-78701743791451877062008-06-03T00:54:00.000-07:002009-03-26T20:14:10.016-07:00Bringing graduates back together for Thursday Alumni Nights<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-YFnQHU9IwGOnMwnFyGJnjdD6WNcBW-mpoTzWUZyyvpGvz6oS7PwnKY_RLAti5O4mz5qd577AMVPqKUplc3QBYzmon4i57Vz5dfSBmCPDLR_G3D77JuwdSZORgiAXSla1q0yh6upWOM/s1600-h/DSCF1481.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-YFnQHU9IwGOnMwnFyGJnjdD6WNcBW-mpoTzWUZyyvpGvz6oS7PwnKY_RLAti5O4mz5qd577AMVPqKUplc3QBYzmon4i57Vz5dfSBmCPDLR_G3D77JuwdSZORgiAXSla1q0yh6upWOM/s400/DSCF1481.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207563980268984706" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We have recently launched <span style="font-weight: bold;">Alumni Nights</span> every Thursday at 6pm, inspired by requests and initiatives from our program's graduates. One graduate said that the “<span style="font-weight: bold;">Design Your Future</span>” program had changed her life, and enabled her to get her dream job in the fashion industry. But now that she is working, she realized it would be great to meet with fellow graduates, to discuss some of the challenges they were facing as young creative professionals, and to offer each other mutual support and encouragement. Another graduate said that now that he is on the road to success in his chosen career in the music industry, he would love to be able to mentor other students and share with them some of his experiences and resources.<br /><br />It is because of statements like these we decided to create a space for graduates to reconnect, to achieve their best and to become powerful forces in the world. Thursday nights will feature youth led support groups, speaker series where graduates will get to meet and network with executives from leading creative firms, personalized support for their creative projects, as well as life coaching.<br /><br />If you are interested in attending an Alumni Night, please contact Adam at adam@reciprocityfoundation.org.<br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><script type="text/javascript">var addthis_pub="reciprocityfoundation";</script><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=20" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onclick="return addthis_sendto()"><img src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" width="125" height="16" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0"/></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/200/addthis_widget.js"></script><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->THE RECIPROCITY FOUNDATIONhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981204814458492520noreply@blogger.com0