DETOUR Empowers
Depositing Empowerment Through Outreach & Urban Redevelopment
DETOUR Empowers uplifts, motivates, and inspires girls to become personally, academically, and professionally successful through education, empowerment, and the arts.
Voice & Viewpoint
By JoAnn Fields
Contributing Writer
San Diego, CA: The Fourth Annual Focused And Naturally Confident Youth (F.A.N.C.Y.) Teen Girls Expo took place in Southeastern San Diego on April 12th, 2014 from 9:30 am – 3:30 pm at O’Farrell Charter School. The F.A.N.C.Y. Teen Girls Expo DETOUR Empowers is an annual signature event that draws 200 teenage girls between the ages of 14 – 19 to participate in a day-long summit. Over the past three years $3,300 in educational scholarships has been awarded to 21 expo attendees selected through a scholarship contest.
“It was amazing to see how well the teenage participants were so in tune with the speakers. You could see the young ladies’ faces light up when they heard something they were dealing with. More than often it is hard for young people to communicate what issues they may be struggling with. The FANCY Teen Expo provided a safe space to discuss and learn how to cope. More importantly, they found out they are not the only one dealing with the same challenges,” states Dana Bryant, Founder, Eleanor’s Place.
“My daughter Journey Crumpler is a freshman at Health Sciences High and Middle School College. Ever since the FANCY Teen Expo she has been excited about modeling. She definitely received a boost of high self-esteem having participated in the FANCY Teen Expo fashion show. Journey has been offered to model in two additional fashion shows in the near future. It’s amazing how one opportunity can open so many other doors. As a parent, we must support and encourage our children to actively participate in events such as the FANCY Teen Expo. We never know what will happen next!” shares Erica Crumpler, Mother of Journey Crumpler and Owner, Brilliant Treats, “The Fancy Teen Expo is such a value to our Southeastern community. I was so touched by the warmth of the staff and the openness of the young girls to share their emotions and keep it real! I plan to be a part of this community and grow it to the next level so that our nation will be able to experience this for their communities,” stated Tia Ross, keynote speaker, Fancy Teen Expo & Certified Master Facilitator, Motivating The Teen Spirit.
“Each year the FANCY Teen Girls Expo continues to grow thanks to the help from our sponsors, supporters, and volunteers. It is our vision that all girls within our community will feel the sense of encouragement and support as they press beyond their pain towards their passions. We are here to see them become positive women who become successful and in turn give back to those coming behind them,” shares Tinesia Conwright, Founder and Executive Director, DETOUR Empowers.
For more information regarding DETOUR Empowers program and activities visit their website at www.detourempowers.org or contact Founder and Executive Director, Tinesia Conwright via phone at (619) 750.1180 or via email at tinesia@detourempowers.org
DETOUR Empowers to host “22” F.A.N.C.Y. Teen Girls Expo Fundraiser
at the A/C Lounge on February 22, 2014
San Diego, CA – DETOUR Empowers will host “22” a F.A.N.C.Y. Fundraiser on February 22, 2014 from 6-9pm at the AC Lounge, to raise awareness and resources for girls in San Diego County through the F.A.N.C.Y. Teen Girls Expo.
The dressy-casual evening will include a cocktail reception including Hors d'oeuvres provided by the Fast Food Company, a live neo-soul performance sponsored by She Is Soul and a silent auction for several amazing packages. Items donated include tickets to the Symphony, The Old Globe, and the Museum of Photographic Arts.
Funds raised from this event will directly support the fourth annual Focused And Naturally Confident Youth (“F.A.N.C.Y.”) Teen Girls Expo set to launch in San Diego’s 4th City Council District on April 12th, 2014 from 9:30am – 3:30pm at O’Farrell Charter School. The F.A.N.C.Y. Teen Girls Expo is a DETOUR Empowers annual signature event, which will host 200 teenage girls between the ages of 14 – 19. Over the past three years $3,300 in educational scholarships have been awarded to 21 expo attendees selected through a scholarship contest.
“The purpose of creating this event was to inspire our local youth to increase their self-esteem and show them they have access to a great education and career opportunities locally and nationally” Tinesia Conwright, the founder of DETOUR. “We want them to believe in themselves as we expose them to greater opportunities.”
Depositing Empowerment Through Outreach & Urban Redevelopment (DETOUR), is a 501(c)3 organization, uplifts, motivates, and inspires women and girls through education, empowerment, and entertainment. In 2011, DETOUR launched their keynote event, the F.A.N.C.Y. Teen Girls Expo, an annual experience dedicated to providing a platform for girls from underprivileged communities to be heard through educational workshops and panel sessions, and networking opportunities. Scholarships are provided to successful awardees allowing them to supplement enrollment cost for summer educational programs.
DETOUR’s vision is to establish and support culturally enriching programs that outreach to the women and girls of Southeastern San Diego and other programs that raise awareness and promote a greater understanding and prevention of health and social issues that affect women and girls community.
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According to Divas In Defense, “1 in 3 women are murdered by an intimate partner, 1 in 4 college women will face a rape situation, 1 in 6 women will be a victim of assault and 1 in 87 women take a selfdefense class.” With numbers this staggering, Conwright hit the nail on the head bringing awareness to teens and women on why and how they should to defend themselves. Chris Britto, Founder and CEO of Divas In Defense shared, “Our goal is to teach you how to get out of a dangerous situation as quickly and safely as possible, fighting is always a last resort.”
Conwright became passionate about women’s empowerment over five years ago when starting her non-profit organization. Saturday’s women’s self-defense class supported her mission and raised funds for worthy causes simultaneously. “This event was an excellent way to educate women on ways to defend themselves against an attack, raise awareness regarding sexual assaults against women and to support organizations who provide services for women and girls within Southeast San Diego” states Ms. Conwright.
The group of women gathered on Saturday shared similar sentiments and most of them agreed that a self-defense course is necessary and they’d love to take one again! Local resident and registered nurse, Aerain Bordeaux, shared that “The best part of today was learning the different ways I can move my body in order to get out of a physically restraining circumstance. Today gave me perspective on being aware of my surroundings.” There were a few mothers who brought their teen daughters along to learn the valuable lessons taught. “The class was empowering. I think this was the best gift that I could have given my daughter. The gift of selfdefense. The little tips we get to take home may very well save our lives,” tearfully stated, mother of two, Johnique Woods. Johnique’s daughter mentioned that she feels better prepared if anything ever happened and that she would encourage all her friends to learn these skills.
Local business owners came out to support the cause and to learn a tip or two in defending themselves. “I have always wanted to take a self-defense class and the way this one was promoted caught my eye. Not to mention supporting the two causes that are near and dear to my heart,” shares Ghia Ransome, owner of Mz. Impeckable Inc. Briget Winton of Briget’s Essence of Beauty Hair Salon was on hand to join in on the festivities. “It was important to me as a single woman to know how to defend myself. I have been mugged before, but I was much younger, so now I wanted to learn new skills on how to get myself out of a dangerous situation if that should ever happen again. I can’t wait to go home and practice what I learned today!”
Those in attendance were fortunate to be taught by Chris Britto, who shared that he and his brother decided to start Divas In Defense three years ago after being raised by a mother who was a victim of domestic violence. Both he and his brother are fathers to daughters and believe that it is important for a woman to know how to protect themselves.
Chris brought along t-shirts and self-defense tools like pepper spray and stun guns for purchase. He also shared a few quick tips for all women to take heed.
9 Protection Tips for Women
Trust your woman’s intuition. Feel free to voice your concern if in an uncomfortable situation. You don’t have to deal with anything that makes you uneasy. Stay away from dark alleys and streets. Walk in a group if possible.
Scan your surroundings. Pause. Look around again, especially when at an ATM.
If ever being attacked, yell “Fire!” or “My baby! My baby!” Statistics prove that people go the opposite way when a victim is yelling “Help.”
Don’t sit in your car in the parking lot and text.
Take front and back photo copies of all ID’s and credit cards. In case they are stolen, you will have the 800#’s needed to call banks, etc.
If held at gunpoint, give them what they want. Also, keep your ID’s on your body (in bra or in pockets) when going out. If an attacker gets your purse, then he won’t know where you live.
Don’t talk on cell phone when out alone, walking to your car, leaving gym or grocery store, etc. It automatically cuts off 50% of your hearing and vision. You must be aware!
Women with small children – put the groceries in the car before the children. You’d rather an attacker get the car and groceries instead of the car and your child.
Fundraiser profits supported: DETOUR Empowers/FANCY Teen Girls Expo, an organization that uplifts, motivates and inspires women and girls to work towards self-development and self-improvement, while surrounding themselves with positive reinforcements. Eleanor’s Place for Women, an organization that provides transitional housing, clothing and mentoring to teens and women coming out of jail, drug programs and domestic violence.
For more tips and to learn about available self-defense courses, visit www.divasindefense. com. To learn about the non-profit organizations, visit www.detourempowers.org and www.eleanorsplace.org. To read more stories like this, visit www. pretty-on-purpose.com
Jazmin Steele
2012 F.A.N.C.Y. Teen Girls Expo Inspires Local Youth
by JoAnne Fields
San Diego, CA: The Annual F.A.N.C.Y. - Focused And Naturally Confident Youth Teen Girls Expo took place Saturday, June 23, 9am-4pm at the San Diego City College Educational Cultural Complex located at 4343 Ocean View Blvd, San Diego, CA 92113. Jazzay Buncom, incoming freshman student at High Tech High shared, " I appreciate the Domestic Violence and Teen Relationships class the most because the instructors answered the questions honestly and thoughtfully. I also thought the documentary about Human Sex Trafficking "Indoctrinated" was interesting because I did not realize how easy it was for teens to fall into that life at such a young age."
"Raising awareness among our girls so they can make informed life decisions and encourage them to believe in themselves is what the F.A.N.C.Y. Teen Girls Expo is all about. With a strong supportive system including their parents and their community, our young ladies will have the ability to accomplish their goals. I would like to thank our sponsors Common Ground Theater, Center For AIDS Research @ UCSD, Insights For Results and Janee Wilson-Key; the F.A.N.C.Y. organizing committee and the parents for believing in our youth. We are looking forward to providing many more empowering events in support of raising the self-confidence and self-esteem of our teen girls," states Tinesia Conwright, Founder, F.A.N.C.Y. Young Teen Girls Expo. For more information regarding F.A.N.C.Y, please contact Tinesia via email at tinesia@detourempowers.org.
DETOUR and T.E.A.M. Inc. Hosts its Focused And Naturally Confident Youth (FANCY) Expo for Teenage Girls in the
4th District
by Ghia Ransome
Depositing Empowerment Through Outreach and Urban Redevelopment (DETOUR) in partnership with Teaching Empowering and Motivating (T.E.A.M.), Inc. reached out to the community and provided information regarding education, self-esteem, professional development, arts, and culture during its inaugural FANCY Expo held Saturday, June 11, 2011.
More than 60 teenage girls in San Diego’s 4th City Council District gathered at the Skyline Hills Recreation Center to learn ways to increase self-confidence, stay ahead in school, plan for college, build upon natural talents and abilities, and pursue their dreams. The purpose of the event was to empower teenage girls through life development skills, while visible and available positive role-models also provided a support system. The event highlighted five facilitators: Janaha Ransome (T.E.A.M., Inc.), LaWanaRichmond (UCSD), Kadesha Carroll (Charisma Events and Consulting), Johnique Poole (The Posh Knot), and Ghia Ransome (MsImpeckable).
Teen girls enjoyed free gift bags compliments of In the Pinc; 11 vendor booths including the San Diego Community College District, NAACP and San Ysidro Health Centers. Nurse Alice from the San Diego Urban League was also onsite providing free health screenings. In addition, the girls took part in interactive live entertainment provided by spoken word artist, Ccep J. Dew and collectively performed a dance choreographed and taught by Ghia “MsImpeckable” Ransome. The finale highlighted eight $100 scholarship winners, and closed out with a teen hair and fashion show by hairstylist and image consultant, Ms. Twyla.
"The FANCY Expo made me feel more confident and assured me that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to if I love myself," said Keyana Wilson, expo teen participant.
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