The Hook-Up : Health Info

Why I got involved in the Teen Task Force: As an Asian and Pacific Islander teen, it was hard for me to find free, confidential, and culturally appropriate healthcare. I got involved in The Hook-Up because I believe a resource guide can bridge the information gap between youths who do not know where to access healthcare, and healthcare organizations who are trying to outreach to youths.

Name: Pamela Chau
Age: 16
Ethnicity: Chinese
Origin: Brooklyn

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, SHOPPING, watching movies, hanging out with friends, music, swimming, running.

Why I got involved in the Teen Task Force: When I heard about the project, I thought it would be a great way to spend my summer doing something productive and meaningful. I didn't want to spend another summer doing the same things: sleeping in late, hanging out everyday, sitting around waiting for something to happen. I think that this guide would be very useful because API teens should be able to get the healthcare they need.

Name: Kelly Chiu
Age: 16
Ethnicity: Chinese
Origin: Brooklyn

Why I got involved in the Teen Task Force: I believe it's important for teens, especially Asian and Pacific Islanders, to understand there are options out there for sexual and reproductive health services. It's a way for me to empower API teens.

Name: Tiffany Chiu
Age: 16
Ethnicity: Chinese
Origin: Staten Island

Hobbies/Interests: Shopping, eating, volleyball, tennis, reading, socializing, pictures, traveling, exercising, spending time with family and friends, watching FRIENDS, movies, and learning new things

Why I got involved in the Teen Task Force: As a teen, I know how frustrating it is when you want to seek medical services but you don't know where to go or who to ask. It is especially hard when you are an API due to cultural differences. I thought that The Hook- Up was a great way to help out API teens.

Name: Christine Tam
Age: 16
Ethnicity: Chinese
Origin: Westchester County, NY

Hobbies/Interests: Music, singing, cheerleading, dancing, shopping, swimming, bowling, relaxing, and being with the people I love.

Why I got involved in the Teen Task Force: Asian and Pacific Islander teens are a large part of the population, especially in the New York City area. As an Asian teen, I can understand the usefulness and necessity of a resource guide like The Hook-Up. What influenced me to be a part of the Teen Task Force was being able to spread awareness to the API teen community. Teens today need guidance, and The Hook-Up is the perfect guide.

Name: Melissa Tam
Age: 18
Ethnicity: Chinese
Origin: Westchester County, NY

Hobbies/Interests: Listening to music, traveling, hanging out with friends & family, shopping, writing, singing, and meeting new people.

Why I got involved in the Teen Task Force: I find that it can be very difficult for teenagers to seek quality sexual and reproductive health services nowadays, especially for APIs. Many teenagers run shy when problems related to sex come about, but I'm proud to be a part of making API teenagers a step closer to asking for help.

Name: Janet Wu
Ethnicity: Chinese American
Origin: Florida & New York

Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with my girlfriends, shopping, swimming, eating out, makeup junkie, blasting music, Jay Chou FANATIC

Why I got involved in Teen Task Force: I wanted to become more involved after volunteering at APICHA. After doing this project, I've come to realize that teens really are clueless when it comes to healthcare. Now I hope everyone will know where to go if they ever need healthcare.

Name: Cecilia Zhou
Ethnicity: Asian
Age: clinging on to the tail of teenage-hood

I'm from China, the big red PRC. I moved to New York City four years ago and realized that although I was born and raised in China, I'm so much more American than Chinese. So I started to identify as a Chinese American. Currently I'm studying Economics and Cinema at Wellesley College. And while I'm not doing my homework, I play classical piano, read any books I could find, advocate for Asian American equality, and sing in the shower.

I got involved in the Teen Task Force through my internship at the Asian Pacific Islander Coalition on HIV/AIDS. I met Ana and found her project very interesting. Coming from the API community, I have first handed experience with the stigma against sex and anything that has to do with it. Stigma prevents education; and ignorance creates disasters. I learned a lot through working on the guide with other volunteers and I'm proud to be part of the Teen Task Force!