NORFOLK, VA

On November 1st, Teens With a Purpose held its 6th Annual Fundraiser event. A Gala at the Half Moone Cruise & Celebration Center in downtown Norfolk. Teens With a Purposes is a multi-faceted youth development organization that understands and believes that the power, insight, creativity and passion of young people can change the world!

The funds raised at the gala will ensure that this organization is able to continue to provide peer-led, effective youth development and empowerment programs that promote critical thinking, inspire growth and engage young minds so they can effect positive change for themselves, their community and the world at no direct cost to its recipients.

TWP is Teens creatively cultivating the next generation of leaders!

The Gala’s theme was “The Future Unveiled”, Joe Takach President and CEO of The Meridian Group revealed the new interactive TWP website and a new TWP logo which replaced the previous leaders and introduced the next generation of leaders as the silhouettes in the logo. The change also reflected a change in the organization’s tagline which is now “Teens Creatively Cultivating the Next Generation of Leaders.” The theme incorporated every guest and attendee as they wore their beautiful ornate masks. The Gala was hosted by Nicole Livas, Anchor of WAVY News and Fox43 News. Livas and WAVY/FOX 43 news are avid supporters and champions of Teens With a Purpose, they have support the TWP Gala for the past four years. The guest speaker was celebrity Omarosa from The Apprentice. Omarosa Manigualt is a Professor at Howard University, business powerhouse, nationally recognized speaker and an ordained Minister. Omarosa shared with guest that she grew up being considered an “at risk” youth and that there was an organization and positive people like Teens With a Purpose in her life as a young person who encouraged her and helped her to believe in herself. She shared her passion for youth development and the importance of reaching back to help others. In addition to her keynote address during the Gala, Omarosa and Darnell Parker of CATCH, INC presented a Teen Talk before the Gala program. The Teen Talk was a closed-door session that addressed believing in yourself, setting goals and staying focused on your passions.

At the TWP Gala & Masquerade ball, youth were treated as the VIP guests of the evening. These amazing young people were treated to an exquisite dinner theatre entertained by youth groups from Norfolk Public Schools, Gethsemane Baptist Church, Virginia Beach City Public Schools, Norfolk Emerging Leaders, Boys & Girls Club Oceana and of course Teens With a Purpose. Business, Government, School leaders, Community advocates, parents and friends came together to honor youth and their mentors who are positively impacting their communities including Congressmen Bobby Scott and Scott Rigell. The Move Maker Award presentation recognized the top eight nominees of youth who are doing just this, overcoming adversity while impacting their community. Two winners were selected one from within Teens With a Purpose and the second from the community.

Falon Persley from Teens With a Purpose was one of the winners, she is a Granby High School student who despite two battles with cancer is a positive mentor to others, an advocate for bullying, and a talented dancer. The community Move Maker winner is James Yapnayon from Tallwood High School in Virginia Beach, James is a dedicated volunteer and is a talented dancer and choreographer. Last year the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, awarded James Third Place for his video entry, The Sitting. There were also two adult Move Makers honored, Tanya Kearney of the EVMS AIDS Resource Center and Muhammad a dedicated TWP volunteer.

Please contact Michelle Sims at TWPMichelle@gmail.com or phone (757) 747-2679 for additional information and photos. Photos are available at TWPTheMovement.org