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Sistas on the Rise: Young Mothers Making Changes for the Better
by Jamia Wilson, 01.15.08
"As a community, we need to support young women." |
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Eighteen-year-old Andrea "Drea" Ramos joined Sistas on the Rise, a collective for young women of color in the South Bronx, when she was pregnant. "I lost two pregnancies," she says. "There wasn't a lot of outside support, so Sistas on the Rise became my family away from home.
Concerned about the lack of services available to young women in her community, Drea became actively involved with Sistas on the Rise. "Our goal is to decrease the dropout rate of teen moms," she says. "We work as a team to eliminate stereotypes and to ensure that moms are getting the resources they need."
Providing the Right Tools
Sistas on the Rise began five years ago as the "Sistas en la Lucha" collective, focusing their work around ending violence against women of color. Today, Sistas on the Rise also gives women between the ages of 13 and 21 the tools they need to sustain themselves.
As a part of the youth-led Leadership Circle, Drea and her "sistas" teach young women of color about child care, reproductive health, and available educational opportunities. "We work with mothers so they can be the best for their children," Drea says.
Among other services, Sistas on the Rise holds workshops that help to develop young mothers' leadership skills. They also collaborate with local organizations to provide support for survivors of rape and intimate partner violence.
"As a community, we need to support young women," Drea says. "Education is important. We are a family here. We're a village. We watch out for each other and our kids."
A Safe Space
Sistas on the Rise provides a supportive space where women share their experiences, explore their cultural identities, and develop themselves as empowered organizers and parents. In order to enable the participation of the low-income women they serve, members are given free child care and small stipends to help them remain active.
In the Leadership Development Program, for example, 10 young women meet every day to learn leadership dynamics and a vast array of advocacy and administrative skills. Past programs include a "Mommy Prom," a community-birthing project, and a financial management education workshop.
Drea is proud of the nurturing and inclusive environment in their work: "This is a space where members and staff are going through the same situation," she says. "We are a safe space. We are special. We encourage you to bring your child to work, we accept you. We love you either way."
Support Your Sistas
Inspired by Sistas on the Rise? Sign up to volunteer. And stay informed about Sistas on the Rise by visiting their website and checking out their MySpace page. |
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