NEW YORK, NY — (Marketwire) — 10/19/11 — The (NEDA) announces the launch of an interactive teen website, .
Proud2Bme is dedicated to promoting healthy attitudes about food, weight and body image, targeting teens and young adults. The site was built by Technology for Social Good volunteer efforts, in collaboration with computer science students. The and (Argentina) also made generous contributions.
The site provides youth — especially the many teens with body image issues or who have (or are at risk of developing) eating disorders — with a positive, fun, interactive environment to learn and connect. Through engaging content and community features, this unique online space offers news about entertainment, fashion, beauty and other relevant pop culture in a safe, age-appropriate environment. Forums and chat rooms enable teens to interact and make new friends. The site-s goal is to inspire youth to become leaders in their communities and to take action for personal and social change.
Proud2Bme is based on the successful Dutch site launched in May 2009 — which to date counts over 2.5 million visitors from 149 countries — by Rivierduinen mental health medical center, which provided a free license and use of the domain name and other assets to NEDA. The U.S. site will be operated under the direction of Claire Mysko, an internationally recognized expert on body image, leadership and media literacy. Several teens are acting as ongoing editorial advisors.
Said Emily-Anne Rigal, 17, from Williamsburg, Va., a Proud2Bme teen contributor and the founder of WeStopHate.org, a nonprofit program raising “teen-esteem” through online videos and social media, “Being a teen myself and someone who works daily with teens through my non-profit to boost confidence, I am thrilled about the launch of Proud2Bme! A teen-focused site on disordered eating, body image and media literacy is exactly what we need in today-s world. I have no doubt it will make a positive impact.”
Commented Lynn Grefe, president and CEO of NEDA, “It-s high time we seriously listen to the concerns of teens — from issues of body confidence to their views of society and media. It-s clear now more than ever that engaging teens is a crucial part of our mission. You will see their voices prominently reflected on Proud2Bme.org. We are grateful to JPMorgan Chase for their vision and support in making this new site possible.”
“Our Technology for Social Good program aims to harness the strength and talent of skilled JPMorgan Chase technology staff through a wide range of volunteer opportunities,” said , chief administrative officer for JPMorgan Chase & Co. “By leveraging this program, we are able to share the technology talent and expertise of our company with nonprofit organizations like NEDA and, in the end, make a positive impact on the communities in which we live and operate in.”
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Vicki Greenleaf
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