Two prolific and internationally renowned women – Queen GodIs (critically acclaimed and internationally esteemed artisan) and Toni Blackman (critically acclaimed and award-winning artist), will host this benefit. In addition, a group of highly respected performers and artists will provide education and entertainment through the arts. The highly respected DJ Chela will provide us with music for the evening. Joy Plaza, President of W.O.R.T.H., says – "It will be an extremely powerful night of ART and EDUCATION through music, spoken word poetry, displayed artwork, and powerful speech, designed to raise awareness around Sexual Violence against women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  We have many incredible individuals involved…and it's a great opportunity to connect with some truly fly individuals – from musicians to activists, poets to community leaders, artists to graphic designers, producers to all-around go getters all coming together for one cause- to raise awareness around sexual violence." The First Annual W.O.R.T.H. Benefit has set its bar high with the caliber of talent that is involved in this event. In addition, many sponsors have provided their support in order to make this event a success.

Performers/Artists Include:

Maya Azucena – Vocalist/Songwriter

Patricia Smith – Poet/Spoken Word Artist

Ursula Rucker – Spoken Word Recording Artist

Carlos Andres Gomez – Spoken Word Artist and Actor

Sponsors for W.O.R.T.H. Benefit Include:

Bucktown USA Entertainment – Full Media Coverage

Buzz TV – Full Media Coverage

The Hip Hop Association (H2A) – Coverage on their website, Donation to raffle an all-access pass to two future H2A events.

The Elan Group – Event Coordination

3-D Platform – Event Coordination, Press, & Contributions from 3-D clients

Pink Eye Fashions – Silent Auction contribution (W.O.R.T.H. inspired sneakers - 3-D Platform Client)

Kosmetiks NYC – Merchandise Donation

Sketch – Silent Auction (W.O.R.T.H. inspired original artwork - 3-D Platform Client)

Premium Image Makers – Benefit Program Booklets

Goma Film Project – 50 Complimentary DVD's of PBS Documentary LUMO

So Live! Arts – Live Painting for Silent Auction courtesy of Fly Lady Di

1 Soul Designs – Merchandise donation

World Up! – Coverage on their website, newletter

Fusicology – Coverage on their website, writer at the event

Nu-Soul Magazine – Coverage at the Benefit (writer, photographer)

N8KD – Merchandise donation

Nissrene Dondini – Original Artwork
 Loganic – Original Artwork

** More In-Depth Detail on All Individuals, Companies, And Sponsors Involved in This Benefit Will Be Provided On Location Via Printed Event Programs

ABOUT W.O.R.T.H.

The Women's Organization of Rebirth Through Healing is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  W.O.R.T.H. recognizes the dire need to address human rights violations against women and children in Central and Eastern Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Our organization seeks to address and raise international awareness surrounding issues such as HIV/AIDS, sexual violence, displacement, personal safety, access to health care, food and shelter, detention, and gender discrimination.

Founder, Aria Maddox, established W.O.R.T.H. in 2006 as a passionate vision of hope. In doing her own research into the violent rape crimes in Central Africa, Aria was shocked to find that very few organizations around the world were set up to directly assist women and children in the Congo. Even more appalling is the fact that the international community as a whole is paying little to no attention to the millions who have already lost their lives during and since the Congo war and the hundreds of thousands of others who are currently displaced and living in refugee camps in surrounding regions. At these camps, men, women and children are without access to proper medical attention, adequate food and water, and shelter from the intense heat and torrential downpours; rains so devastating that they often completely wipe out the only roadways that lead to these camps.  The inability to access refugee camps is preventing clean water, food and medical supplies from reaching those who need it most.

Aria's vision for the Women's Organization of Rebirth Through Healing is to raise international awareness.  Her long-term goal is to build a holistic transition house for women and children in the Congo that will serve to keep survivors of sexual violence safe while working to empower them in every aspect of their lives.

To help realize this ambitious goal and help bring her vision to life, Aria Maddox called on friend and philanthropist, Joy Plaza who she knew shared the same passion and dedication for social justice and human rights. Their shared commitment to this fight is the backbone of what lies ahead in W.O.R.T.H.'s future. But they do not stand alone. They stand alongside a group of strong and dedicated women and are also blessed with the voices of countless others who have stepped up and said the four simple words necessary to create change "How can I help?"

The Women's Organization of Rebirth Through Healing is poised to, not only reach the hearts and minds of those wanting to join our fight, but to put pressure on world leaders to take a stand against sexual violence as a weapon of war. It is a necessity that the G8 leaders and the United Nations play an integral role in intervening and putting an end to human rights violations in the Congo as well as other war torn countries. One of our missions, with your help and through partnerships with other organizations and sponsors who share our vision of hope, is to put pressure on world leaders and the international community.  Join with us as we continue this fight for justice and humanity.

For More Information About W.O.R.T.H., log onto:

www.youreworthit.org

ABOUT THE ELAN GROUP

Bridging the gap between the world's needs and desires is The Elan Group, a company whose mission is to raise awareness on society's pressing issues. As the world grows in population, so does the burdening issues that affect us all. Through entertainment, The Elan Group sheds light on existing issues that need to be heard, addressed and given a voice.

Stay tuned, as The Elan Group continues to produce events as a supporting platform to create these voices. Support our efforts and goals as we raise awareness on disease and sickness, domestic violence, lack of education, homelessness, unemployment, pollution, hunger and starvation...if you can add to this list we need you. Please support our purpose!

For More Information About The Elan Group, log onto:

www.myspace.com/theelangroup

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FAST FACTS

Panzi Hospital was inaugurated in 1992. It was initially built for 120 beds but the total number of beds are now 324. The average number of patients hospitalized per month is 410 persons. The mission of Panzi Hospital is to:

• Improve the quality of medical care for the population
• Reduce the maternal and infant death rate
• Provide treatment of the survivor of sexual violence and surgical repair for women suffering from fistulas of the uro-genital tract.

The HIV virus is spreading fast in the DRC. Unlike many other countries in southern Africa, there is no reliable data about the exact prevalence of the disease. There are many risk factors though, such as high rates of sexual violence, population displacement caused by war and lack of access to preventative health care, that suggest that the global AIDS epidemic is beginning to hit the DRC hard (Médecins Sans Frontières/ 2004).

• In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, HIV prevalence rates are estimated to be between 1.7 to 7.6% depending on the region, and may be as high as 20% among women who have suffered sexual violence in areas of armed conflict (Department of International Development, March 2007).
• Women account for more than half (57%) of adults estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS in the DRC (UNAIDS, 2004 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic, July 2004).
• HIV prevalence is high among young people in the DRC, especially young women. Among those ages 15-24, the estimated number of young women living with HIV/AIDS was almost twice that of young men (UNAIDS, Youth and HIV/AIDS: Opportunity in Crisis, 2002).
• Years of war in DRC, have completely decimated the health system in the country and national investment in AIDS treatment is a major priority. The Global Fund has dedicated $35 million to AIDS care over the next two year in DRC. But more money is needed. ARV drugs costs $29 per month - well out of reach of most Congolese (Médecins Sans Frontières/ 2004).
• Rape increases the risk of HIV/AIDS transmission significantly because forced sexual intercourse is accompanied by injuries and bleeding which enhances transmission of the virus as compared to during consensual sex.  Physical injury from sexual violence can be very serious, especially in young girls.  It was recently estimated that the HIV prevalence in South Kivu could reach 20 per cent. Sexual violence is likely to have been a significant contributory factor to this increase (Dr Francois Lepira, director of the national program against AIDS, quoted by the United Nations Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN) on the 5th of  November, 2003 and re-printed by Médecins Sans Frontières).