Last winter, I photographed the 20th Anniversary Party for Y-HEP, the Youth Health Empowerment Project run by Philadelphia Fight, at the Moore College of Art. A great group of people braved the snow that evening to honor the founder of the organization and showcase their best moves while sporting plenty of plaid for the 90’s themed Dance Party. Philadelphia’s DJ Fox Boogie prepped the crowd, warming them up for the night’s featured act, DJ Spinderella from the hip hop group Salt ‘n Peppa. The party was a blast to shoot with everyone getting down on the dance floor for every beat.

I love shooting for this organization. Not only are the members a pleasure to work with, but I learn something new about Philadelphia’s youth and the resources Y-HEP provides for them including amazing holistic health care, mental health services, sexual health education, on top of a whole lot of good will. Not many people realize how committed the staff is to their “kids” - ages 13-24 high-risk/high promise, low-income, urban youth - helping them to build rewarding lives out of extremely difficult circumstances. It’s a pleasure and an honor for me to shoot for them.