Dips, Stickers, and Photos: PrEP4Teens Launches

It took months of planning, meetings, and work, but on November 15th, 2023, PrEP4Teens finally, officially launched. How’d we do?

Well, the launch event was a pretty busy night. We had a photo booth, a mini ball (with prizes!), tons of swag, a DJ, a mural unveiling, and most importantly, food. Lots of food. So many folks from different spots meeting, chatting, and getting to know one another. Fabulous photos were taken (and shared all over social media—be sure to check our coverage of the event out on Instagram @prep4teens! But honestly, if you’re reading this, you’re probably already following us.) Stickers were given out. And the ball was on fire.

Image credits: James Carey

It was pretty freaking cool, all things considered. We’re so grateful to have been able to host a space for folks to share their art in so many different forms (and, so grateful that TaskForce Prevention was able to lend us their space for the night)! Watching the mural being unveiled with help from several of the folks who worked on it with our muralist, David Gauna, was magical. Their faces were the heart of the mural, and as they worked with David to pull down the tarp to reveal what they’d accomplished together, everyone there got to see their smiles on the mural reflected in real life.

We also gave out stickers designed by one of our very own youth leaders, Leo Finch (or, if you want his artist name: Milan Leo Martinez). He spent weeks designing stickers that could represent the need for youth to see themselves in health education, and we were lucky to have these designs to share at the event as well. Of course, the most stunning moments of the night all took place during the ball. Youth from the TaskForce community came out and left it all on the floor with incredible performances across four different categories: OTA Performance, Realness, Runway, Com vs. Com, and Hand Performance, all featuring PrEP messaging, PrEP colors (blue and white), or PrEP costuming—some folks showed up as a doctor!

Sky, a fifth-grade student, showed up ready to win the competition. Dressed in blue and white to match the theme, they delivered a snappy, dynamic performance, and in those few minutes, all eyes in the room were on them. Once they finished, TaskForce employee and vogue instructor Marvell “Shorty” Craig gave them a proud hug.

Image credits: James Carey

Out of all of PrEP4Teens’ goals, making space for young people to flourish and express themselves might just be the biggest. Sex ed is important, and empowering youth to make choices for themselves is, too, but nothing feels quite as world-shaking as seeing the people that we work to spread information to take that power into their own hands and create something for everyone around them to see. They’re empowered and want others to feel the same. Each time they build a mural or create stickers or write music or perform a routine for others to see, they create a ripple that impacts those around them. Empowerment is contagious.

So, how’d we do? I’d say we did pretty damn well. It was a hell of a launch, and we have no intention of stopping any time soon.

Image credits: James Carey

P.S. - Special thanks to our funders, who made this all possible: Alphawood Foundation, CDPH, NUCATS and CFAR, and a warm, incredibly grateful thanks to TaskForce. We couldn’t have asked for a better community partner!

To learn more about TaskForce and other teen-friendly PrEP providers, check out our list of Chicago providers here.