IMATTER

11020658666?profile=original“IMATTER” CITYWIDE YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROJECT FILLS THE CITY HALL ATRIUM WITH LOVE AS 10 NEW PORTRAITS OF NEW HAVEN YOUTH DEBUT! AT A 3PM RECEPTION, MAYOR HARP WILL SPEAK AND WYBC 94.3 WILL BROADCAST LIVE. “IMATTER” VOICES WILL ALSO LAUNCH WITH TWO AUDIO-READY ALUMINUM PANELS THAT INTERACT WITH SMARTPHONES.

New Haven, Connecticut (June 25, 2019) - The City of New Haven has partnered with the “IMatter” Project to showcase teens and young adults in a citywide public celebration of self-worth, compassion and community. Large-scale banners have been going up throughout the city at locations such as the Goffe Street Armory, Dollar Tree Store (Chapel Street), LoRicco Towers (Crown Street) and Dixwell Fire Station. Rob Goldman, founder and director of the “IMatter” Project said, “It's thrilling to see the City of New Haven coming together in support of our mission. Big-hearted people from government, education, the arts, the media, business, real estate development, parents, students, the list goes on, all stepping up help us give New Haven’s youth the voice they deserve.”

On Tuesday, June 25, at 3pm, the “IMatter” Project, the Youth Services Department (YSD) of the City of New Haven and 94.3 WYBC Radio welcome all to a kickoff reception as “IMatter” comes to the City Hall Atrium. Ten positive portraits of New Haven youth photographed by Goldman will fill the lobby with love. Led by Mayor Toni N. Harp, a brief presentation will showcase the youth, some of whom will be present. Mayor Harp said, “As mayor, I’m so proud New Haven is hosting this initiative.” Juan Castillo from “The Juan Castillo Morning Show” will be on hand, doing interviews that will broadcast live on 94.3 WYBC. An “IMatter” photo booth will be set up where guests can get their picture taken, create their word bubble and have it posted on the “IMatter” Facebook and Instagram pages. Spoken word artists will be on hand and pizza will be served. Free “IMatter”/94.3 WYBC bracelets will be given out, along with other swag.

"IMatter" Voices will be launched at this event as the first two audio-enabled, 59" by 78" aluminum panels that interact with smartphones are shown. Statements from "IMatter" youth can be heard by either scanning a QR code from each panel or using a phone's "search" feature to find the youth’s name. A prototype of an "IMatter" Tower will also be displayed. This is a preview of what New Haven will see in September when a nearly 10-foot-high illuminated tower will be permanently installed in the Dixwell Neighborhood with 36 photos of New Haven youth. Those photos are being shot this summer by "IMatter" founder and director, Rob Goldman with the youth selected by the tower’s sponsor, the Livable City Initiative (LCI). The audio derives by ongoing interviews, hosted by “IMatter” partner, 94.3 WYBC radio.

Tuesday’s effort continues the citywide youth empowerment effort, which started with the display of the initial 12 banners of the project, which were funded entirely by New Haven’s Youth Services Department. Jason Bartlett, Director of the Youth Services Department (YSD), said, “As a City, we will continually invest and value our youth. Part of that investment is recognizing the importance of self-esteem and a positive identity Juan Castillo, General Manager of WYBC radio, an “IMatter” partner said, “’IMatter’ brings us together under one banner.” “There is nothing more joyful and powerful than seeing our youth bear witness to their fullest expression,” said Erik Clemons, CEO of ConnCAT, another project supporter.

The “IMatter” Project is a multimedia youth empowerment program that celebrates the sanctity and self-worth of teens and young adults. The comprehensive public media campaign cultivates civic empowerment, uplifting and uniting citizens of all ages while instilling a sense of communal pride and promise. Founder and director Rob Goldman said, “We are giving New Haven youth a face and a voice.

The public art program features Goldman’s compelling photographic portraits accompanied by “IMatter” statements, written and spoken by each subject. Irresistible, young faces broadcast reflective messages of optimism that drive community engagement through larger-than-life banners, billboards, audio recordings, radio broadcasts and interactive exhibits. Captivating works are designed to provoke intergenerational discourse about critical youth issues that include anxiety, depression, substance abuse, mental illness, gang violence and suicide.

The aesthetic uplift of the “IMatter” campaign inspires people to imagine and build a healthy community while promoting empathy, belonging and hope. We bring together the forces and faces of communities with an enticing platform that invites and unites governmental, civic, educational, corporate and philanthropic forces that bring about positive change. As a result, economic development and social/emotional health are positively impacted as people of all ages connect and celebrate within and across cultures.

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If you would like more information about the “IMatter” Project, please call Bo Sandine, Program Manager, at 720.470.8803 or email bo@imatterproject.org

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