NJ Youth Corps volunteers for HOT 97's Hip Hop Has Heart Foundation's "Lift 'Em Up!" Community Service Event

Yesterday, NJ Youth Corps traveled to Queens, NY to give a helping hand to Hot 97 FM and the Hip Hop Has Heart Foundation. It was for their annual "Lift 'Em Up" event at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center. Our students under the direction of Crew Leader Doug Bailey helped put together gift bags for families that are less fortunate. 

In addition to the items being donated which included Reebok sneakers and Trukfit clothing, NJ Youth Corps in collaboration with the Bridge Of Books Foundation, donated over a hundred brand new books to the cause.

Our students had an excellent time behind the scenes working with radio professionals and were truly humbled by the experience. They volunteered for nearly two hours before heading back to Jersey City. We are looking forward to continued community service efforts! Check out the official press release below regarding the event as well as pictures taken while our students worked. Special thanks to the whole Emmis Communications staff for welcoming us!

 Last year, Lift 'Em Up provided those less fortunate a first class experience and dignified evening of gourmet food and holiday entertainment. HOT 97 on-air talent, behind-the-scenes staff, friends in Hip Hop, including Ja Rule and Sevyn Streeter, and partners came together to provide an outstanding feast, entertainment, and holiday market for New Yorkers in need. The motivation was simple: to uplift others and provide the community an extraordinary evening, full of food, festivities, and fun! Catch the complete video recap from 2013's event here. 
 HOT 97's Hip Hop Has Heart Foundation and Incite, Emmis' cause marketing division, will host 150 people, invited by local churches and community representatives, for the second annual Lift 'Em Up celebration on Thursday, November 20, 2014 in Queens, NY. The event will include a special visit from Hip Hop artist Maino and R&B singer Justine Skye, gourmet food provided by Two Fish And Five Loaves, music by HOT 97's legendary DJs, and the return of the Holiday Market, where families will be able to take home food for the own Thanksgiving meals the following week.
"The Hip Hop Has Heart Foundation has led the way in assisting the Hip Hop community, and Lift 'Em Up is a wonderful way to give back during the holidays" states Koren Vaughan, President of the Hip Hop Has Heart Foundation. "Together with Incite, which uses entertainment to connect brands, we hope to bring many deserving families some holiday cheer!" HOT 97's Hip Hop Has Heart Foundation would like to thank its partner, Dello Russo Laser Vision, for contributing to the Lift 'Em Up night of service and inspiration. 

"Please Judge Me" Film Shoot (Part 1)

On November 6th, filming began with our NJ Youth Corps students who are working on short project titled "Please Judge Me". The short film will deal with stereotypes and the way they negatively effect people. In this case, a high school student is profiled by a substitute teacher who wrongly makes assumptions about the student based on the way she is dressed. NJIT's Capstone team was on hand to assist in directing and shooting the project, which should be fully completed by the end of the month. The Capstone team was instrumental in writing the script and developing some very intriguing characters.

Jeffery (played by Jacob) is dressed in clothes that are well fitted. He is a well-spoken individual that doesn't take any sides and keeps a good distance from all the other students. He is not smart but he sucks up to the teachers.

Will (played by Ashraf) is dressed in an expensive polo and wears dark shades at all times. He is full of himself, he is loud and isn't afraid to speak his mind. He has a very controlling attitude in which everything has to go his way.

Erika (played by Valerie) is dressed in very baggy clothing. She has a black snapback hat on worn backwards with a bandanna. She is somewhat quiet and does not have many friends. She is extremely intelligent and is often prejudged or misunderstood.      

There will be behind the scenes and blooper footage as well. This project will also be accompanied with a lesson plan and discussion session speaking about the ills of discrimination and the need for more tolerance to individuals differences and preferences. It is also designed as  additional training to teach our students how to become better presenters and performers at the Jersey Explorer Children's Museum, which is the Jersey City, NJ Youth Corps work-site. In addition, our students will learn about shooting, editing and producing short video projects. Below are a few shots from the shoot.