Project Condom Upstate year one is complete! Everyone did a fantastic job! 

There’s quite the Buzz on Twitter and Facebook about the models. Each group surprised the entire audience with their truly wonderful creations. The diversity of the contestants ranged from teenagers to stay-at-home moms with teenagers of their own. 

DJ T.O. (@DJ_TO) rocked the beats for the show and one of the SWARM volunteers controlled our massive light construction. We had a tremendous partner in One Condoms, who donated all the condoms for the dresses. And, we had five fabulous judges: Ryan Wilson from the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Pregnancy, Dr. Melisa Holms, MD – Obstetrician and Gynecologist and author of Girlology, Greg Campbell: Executive Director of AID Upstate, India Walters of Contraceptive Access Campaign, and Meghan Rapp of Advocates for Youth. There isn’t much more I could have asked for.

Check out the pictures from the night and let us know who you think was “Best Dressed for Sexual Health Success”!

Alright, for those of you who are just hearing about Project Condom for the first time I’ll give a brief explanation:  it is a fashion show where groups take colored non-lubricated condoms and apply them to outfits.  Models wearing the outfits compete in a fashion show where they are judged on the design, the message that accompanies the outfit, and an explanation of how the design represents the particular message given.

Project Condom USC got student groups from their campus that represented feminists, LGBT, cultural diversity groups, sororities, and fraternities.  Each group that participated had very different designs.  Some were conservative and others a little sexy.  It was a great opportunity for each group to announce their voice of reason to the audience of a maxed out a ballroom of over 500 guests!

Though for many of the participants the show was an opportunity to show off their skills of creating beautiful dresses, the mission was to educate audience and reduce the negative stigma condoms have.

Project Condom is by far the best outreach production I’ve participated in that educates young people about the importance of regular contraceptive use.  This is why SWARM and Tell Them are hosting Project Condom Upstate.  If you weren’t able to attend the Project Condom USC, you should not let the opportunity pass you by to participate and/or attend the show in Spartanburg on April 10th.

• What: Project Condom Fashion Show
  When: April 10, 2012
  Where: Spartanburg Marriott
  Register now by emailing tallen@newmorningfoundation.org.

Project Condom Upstate will feature student groups and organizations as they compete in a fashion show where condoms are the primary material in the designs.

Registered groups will be provided with non-lubricated colored condoms to use on their designs. Groups will design dresses or outfits that represent a topic of sexual health. (Comprehensive Sex Education, HIV Awareness, Access to Contraceptives, Abstinence, etc.- be creative)

Awards and prizes will be given out for best designs and best messages. Your group will also be featured on the Tell Them and Amplify blogs. A $200 donation will be made in the 1st place winner’s name to the student organization, non-profit organization, or charity of choice.

Registration ends March 12, so sign up now. Email tallen@newmorningfoundation.org for more information.

Make your cause loud and clear and for all of the Upstate to hear.

This week FLEW by. We were so busy, and have racked up the numbers to prove it!

First, I want to say a huge thank you to Tiphany Davis and the ladies of Allen University’s Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. They attended the 2010 Harambee Festival held by Benedict College last Saturday and told people about the Virtual March. Not only did they create a ton of buzz, they signed up over 300 marchers! WAY TO GO LADIES!

On Tuesday, Kelly and I split up- she went to Florence and presented the Virtual March at the National Women’s & Girl’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day at Francis Marion University. The event was very successful and all the participants left seeming really excited and eager to start spreading the buzz.

While Kelly was in Florence, I went to USC for Project Condom- Season 3. As the Daily Gamecock reported, “The goal of Project Condom is to promote safe sexual activity on campus. According to a recent University of South Carolina survey, 74 percent of University students reported they were sexually active last year, but only half of them reported using condoms when engaging in sexual activity.”

This was such a great night- it highlighted the importance of condom use in a fun, creative way. Tell Them was on hand to talk about the Virtual March, as well as sign up marchers.. Thanks to our AMAZING volunteers (Katie MacMillen, Caroline Atwood, Kate Jaffe, Kathleen Kemp, Lauren Wilson), we added nearly 200 marchers to our ranks. Thank you ladies! And congratulations to Ryan Wilson and everyone at USC- the show was great!

On Thursday, it was up to Lake Wylie, where Kelly met with Kathy Cantrell and Safe Passages where she presented the Virtual March. Kelly also met with the Teen Health Center in York where they are making an incredible difference in the community.

All in all, we have not only reached our weekly goal of 2,000 Virtual Marchers, but have surpassed it by a few hundred. We’re so energized by the excitement and support we’re getting- and things are going to get even more interesting. Keep checking back- we’ve got some great surprises coming your way in the next few weeks!