The Baltimore City Health Department and New Lens Invite Local Youth to Participate in Upcoming Graphic Novel Project

This summer, the Baltimore City Health Department Adolescent and Reproductive Health Program is partnering with New Lens, a local organization dedicated to generating change inspiring, youth-driven media and art, to create a graphic novel, by teens, for teens. We are hoping to recruit 15-20 students, ages 14-18 to participate in the project.

This six week long opportunity spans from July 8th-August 14th and requires students to attend sessions with members of the Health Department and New Lens from 3-5 pm on Tuesdays and Thursday evenings at the Health Department location at 1515 W. North  Ave. During these sessions students will learn about and discuss methods of birth control and STDs, social barriers against adequate protection, origins of social barriers and how they can be overcome, and how to craft a compelling story. Once students become comfortable with the core information, they will learn about how to create a graphic novel and collaborate to make their own novel incorporating what they’ve learned. 

The mission of this project is ultimately to create an experience and a product that can inspire youth to make healthy decisions to better their lives. This project is going to be a fun, innovative way for participants to learn and engage with important material, as well as a collaborative way to create a lasting product that can be used to educate others. This is a great opportunity for any student interested in health, art, or making a difference in his or her community. Participation in this project is worth 24 service-learning hours and is completely free!  If you are interested in participating, or would like to learn more, please contact Molly Farrugia at molly.farrugia@gmail.com.