this event is specifically for teen females as a measure to help educate and provide resources for those who are currently in a negative relationship and to help prevent any females from becoming ensnared in such a union.

By BAKARI SIMPSON

Contributing Writer

In a world where every day seems to be more and more heavily fostered with the “me” mentality and reaching the top at all costs, it’s both a wonderful and refreshing feeling to run across those who are genuinely concerned with the health and well being of others.  Nevertheless, at 3:30 p.m. this Wednesday, Nov. 9 at the Collinwood Branch of the Cleveland Public Library Erika Marks along with City Year and the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center are teaming up for the program Help Stop Teen Sexual and Dating Violence.

When Marks – a long time Cleveland library employee – became a Library Assistant this past June, the position came with the responsibility of formulating new programs for the library to institute. Following both her own heart and what she believed was much needed in the community, Marks thought it a wise idea to reach out toward young girls who might be going through a rough time. The first event she ever did was a collaboration with Angela Flowers to host Making a Difference Consulting, which helps mentor kids on bullying and how to handle it if it happened to them. 

This time around the block, Marks has united once again with Flowers who she views as a mentor when it comes to reaching the community, especially the teen girls.  In fact this event is patterned after an event that Flowers recently held. Marks had a chance to view it and she liked what she saw.  Now armed with a position and the resources to actually help aid those in need, Marks is being true to her own nature and has set up this same style event for Wednesday.  Aside from Flowers, Marks teamed up with a huge positive influence in the form of Nina Nager from the group City Year. After previously meeting and hitting it off, Nager suggested that she could help with this event while still working with the Rape Crisis Center.  Another program to keep your eyes open for is the Reading R.A.M.M.s (Recording Arts Music Media) an extracurricular program headed by Edward “Phatty” Banks where school kids take their school lessons then turn them into raps and record them as a study method.

And for clarity’s sake, this event is specifically for teen females as a measure to help educate and provide resources for those who are currently in a negative relationship and to help prevent any females from becoming ensnared in such a union.   While many might think that this program is merely for those experiencing violence this is not the case; this program is for rape, general violence and/or emotionally taxing relationships or any manner of situation that is unhealthy and unproductive to be in. 

Please folks, if you yourself or you know of anyone that could benefit from this and of any of these programs please spread the word but definitely find the time to come down to the Collinwood Branch of the Cleveland Public Library at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9th to be apart of a very special and meaningful event.