Teens Speak is an online maga-paper made by teens, for teens. In our community, members of all ages are involved with drugs and violence on the streets. What Teens Speak is attempting to accomplish is giving the youth a way to express themselves and be aware about the problems in our community. Since the start of the program, 20 project workers, 4 project leaders, a project coordinator, and a project director have been persistent in preparing a maga-paper.

Separated into four groups, each lead by one project leader, the project workers have expressed themselves regarding the issues in our community. Along with gaining the insight of the youth through a needs assessment, the project workers and leaders have learned much more through workshops and tours. Although each workshop was designed for a specific group, all of the project workers were involved with every workshop. These workshops taught us a variety of skills that will help us succeed.

The financial workshops taught us how to manage our money properly. The workshops also explained the different roles in bank facilities and even gave us a chance to open up our own bank accounts! The journalism workshops helped us develop free expression. We engaged in writing exercises that emphasized grammar, punctuation and creativity. The graphic design workshops taught us how to make our own layout of a website page. The marketing workshops taught us how to present our product through a variety of advertisements. The photography workshops taught us how to pay great attention to details to capture the best pictures. Last but not least, the life skills workshops equipped us with skills that are the keys to success.

Although we worked tediously to meet deadlines, we always found time to have fun. Whether it was on field trips, singing, dancing, or playing tricks on each other, we all have become closer; new friends, learning how to deal with co-workers, dedication, and an idea on a choice of career is what we all will take from this program.