Youth researchers from the Institute for Community Research's (ICR) Summer Youth Research Institute (SYRI) will present their findings at a final presentation and graduation ceremony on Friday August 16, 2002. The SYRI brings together Hartford youth, ages 16-20 for a six-week training in participatory action research on a topic of their choice. This year, the 40 youth researchers chose to look at the factors - such as the media, peers, substance use and emotions - that influence the way teens think about and understand sex. "Teens feel pressured by the media and friends to have sex," says 16-year old Lindsay Diaz. "There's all this talk about needing to stop teenage pregnancy, but how is it going to stop when there's all this other stuff that's pressuring you to have sex before you're ready?" Through their research, the SYRI youth evaluated the ways in which these factors influence teenage sexual behavior.

The SYRI, which is in its 6th year of operation, is part of ICR's larger Action Research Training and Development program, which trains community members in research methods, data collection skills, and how to use research results to create positive community change. Over the summer, SYRI participants are employed through the Summer Youth Employment Program of the Capital Region Workforce Development Board and Yo! Hartford to work as youth researchers. These young researchers conducted exploratory interviews with youth and adults on issues of protection, relationships and peer pressure. SYRI researchers also used media, such as television and magazines to elicit teens' views on ways they feel that media affects teen behavior.

For example, the youth researchers taped television shows and asked other teens their impression on how the content of shows and clothing of actors influence their behavior in relationships. The results from their research and recommended action steps will be the focus of the August 16th event. "The youth pick an issue that is important to them, and then learn the skills for discovering and understanding underlying causes," says Michelle Corbett, a Prevention Research Educator at ICR. "The SYRI helps teens discover their own voice, and realize they can make a difference in their communities."

The SYRI is designed as a youth-led empowerment, educational and leadership-building program. It teaches youth to think about their community and the ways in which they can play a part in creating positive change. Because the youth pick the topic, design the research process, gather data, and analyze results, they have greater sense of ownership and understanding about the issue. Marlene Berg, ICR's Associate Director of Training explains, "The SYRI teaches youth critical thinking, problem-solving and leadership - vital skills for school and future work."

"Talking to other youth about problems we are facing and then trying to make a difference - it was fun," states Manuel Hernandez, a freshman at Hartford High. "I want to go to elementary schools to talk to students there about the consequences of their behavior and give them some of the information that I learned during the summer."

The event is open to the public and will begin at 1:00pm, at Two Hartford Square West, Suite 100. For more information contact Jill Chopyak at 860-278-2044, ext. 290.