LITHONIA, Ga. -
Oct. 10, 2013 -
PRLog -- LITHONIA – Teen Wins 50 Thousand Dollars. Mary-Pat Hector 15 could no longer stand by and watch gun violence ravage her generation.
Mary-Patricia could no longer stand by and watch gun violence ravage her city of Lithonia, Georgia. She was, “tired of attending more funerals than graduations”
and “tired of kids not being able to play outside.” Using powerful images and starting statistics about gun violence, Mary-Patricia founded the Think Twice campaign to decrease urban youth gun violence and change the mindset of youth in her community. She began by meeting with advertising firms and youth leaders to learn how to publicize and raise awareness, created a budget, and then unveiled her campaign to the media and community. Mary-Patricia also held demonstrations with friends at school using posters and t-shirts to get students’ attention. She says, “Think Twice has given people a voice. Through the campaign, young people can understand that they can advocate stopping gun violence.” With the help of social media, the campaign has gained national attention: so far 10,000 people in 12 states have been reached. Mary-Patricia hopes that one day the campaign will be advertised nationally on billboards and in subway stations to encourage all urban youth to “think twice” before picking up a gun.
Mary-Pat is one of 10 young people to receive the inaugural Peace First Prize, which is supported by various foundations and which celebrates those who have confronted injustice.
The $50,000 fellowship, spread over two years, will allow Mary-Pat’s Campaign to be seen in three markets.
To learn more about the Think Twice Campaign visit www.
Justthink2wice.comRead more at
http://www.peacefirst.org/prize/winners/item/94-mary-patricia
Account Phone Number