On Saturday October 25th, 2025, the STAR Program’s Adolescent Education Program’s (AEP) Teens Helping Each Other (THEO) Program participated in the 11th Annual Mother Wit Convening, presented by the ARIAH Foundation and Spirit of a Woman, at SUNY Downstate. The event brought together community residents, birth workers, clinicians and young people, to continue the much-needed conversation on the realities of birthing in Brooklyn, and the vision for a safer, more just future for all. The day provided participants with a unique opportunity to blend art, community wisdom and clinical information.
THEO presented a theatrical performance that explored the physical, emotional, and cultural dimensions of birthing, highlighting its significance as a powerful and transformative human experience. Through movement, dialogue, and symbolic storytelling, the youth explored concepts of new beginnings, growth, and responsibility. The theatre piece encouraged reflection on the journey of bringing life into the world, while also emphasizing empathy, respect, and awareness. THEO’s participation in this event reflects our ongoing collaboration with organizations that foster and promote youth awareness, building confidence and growth across New York City. It further promotes a central core of our mission, the belief that young people must be at the center of health and equity conversations.
