Space for big sister

 

Everybody has a safe place, or at least should have one. Somewhere to let your hair down and recharge. In the series “Teen Sanctuaries,” Philly Youth Radio asked students to show us their safe spaces.Today, we finish the series with Thien To, a recent graduate of South Philadelphia High School and second-year veteran of Philly Youth Radio. Besides telling radio stories, Thien acts and writes plays for Philly Young Playwrights, participates in Asian Arts Initiative’s Youth Arts Workshop, paints self-portraits, and tutors classmates in math. She will be attending Drexel University in the fall to study fashion design.

A few years ago, Thien moved from Vietnam to Philadelphia with her family. Ever since, she’s been struggling to find a sanctuary in her new home and to become the big sister she wants to be.

About Philly Youth Radio

In the spring of 2011, Philly Youth Radio was created by Yowei Shaw with the support of Asian Arts Initiative, WHYY’s Hamilton Public Media Commons, and the Leeway Foundation in response to the alarming level of school bullying and bias-based violence experienced by students in the city of Philadelphia.

Philly Youth Radio works with local high school students to produce radio stories that matter to them. Participants gain experience in story pitching, interviewing, field recording, script-writing, and voicing. Philly Youth Radio is currently raising money on Indiegogo for another series of youth radio workshops, that will take place this fall and focus on telling stories about love and relationships.

To find out more go to their website. If you are interested in volunteering or supporting the group, please visit the How to Get Involved section on their website.