In the Community

CP-NY’s Community Action Projects

CP-NY does not believe that change should only happen at home, but strongly encourages the cast to take what they have learned outside to their communities and to be instrumental in creating community change.

Twice during the program, participants design and execute community action projects in their communities.  Guided by a Youth Council comprised of members of each of our three casts, these dynamic projects bring awareness to the concerns which are most pressing to our young people.

Cast members assign themselves to several teams which are each focused on a specific issue.  The Youth Council gives teams a “challenge” based on that issue.  Teams have 3 to 4 weeks to research, design, and implement their project.  The only constraints are that the project must be interactive, and must be doable in one day.

Below are a few of the Community Action Projects completed by CP-NY participants in 2008:

Domestic Violence – Team members created a performance piece which highlighted patterns of abuse and options for escaping it.  The performed their piece in a busy public square, and distributed statistical information and resources for help to observers.

Stress Management – Participants commandeered a construction wall in a highly-trafficked area of New York, and divided it into two sections:  Stress and Relief.  On the “Stress” side of the wall, passers-by were encouraged to write things that stress them out on a sticky note.  On the “Relief” side, the same people were encouraged to write how they relaxed.

LGBTQ Equality – In order to raise awareness around suicide rates among LGBTQ teenagers, participants spent an afternoon in Union Square encouraging passersby to ‘kiss for the camera’ in support of the LGBTQ community.  Donations were collected and given to The Center, an organization which celebrates and cares for individuals and groups in need.

Teen Pregnancy – Team members held a contest: diapering a baby vs. putting on a condom.  Passers-by were given bags of condoms and pamphlets on STDs and Teen Pregnancy.

Body Image – Participants staged a “fashion walk” down Madison Avenue proclaiming that they’re beautiful, regardless of what advertisers might imply.