Everyone has a story to tell. You’ll be surprise how many have the same.

Have you ever been threatened by your significant other? Check out this article about Johanna and her boyfriend. Makes you think twice……

before

This is Johanna Orozco. She was with her pictured boyfriend, Juan Ruiz Jr., throughout high school and were supposedly in love.. until he shot her in the face with a shotgun. Johanna lived and has been going through surgeries ever since:

It seemed like the perfect romance between Cleveland high school seniors Johanna Orozco and Juan Ruiz Jr. “He was funny, he was a great listener, and he was there for me when I needed him to be” Orozco, now 20, said. She seemed to have it all. Then one day Orozco’s luck changed in a way she could never have imagined, when Ruiz — once the love of her life — fired a shotgun at her face, sending her through a medical marathon of reconstructive surgery and recovery.

Before their relationship took its dark turn, the attractive and popular couple was the envy of their classmates at Lincoln West High School. “They were gorgeous…gorgeous and they looked good on each other’s arms. They were the ideal couple,” said drama teacher Catherine Zak. “Everyone wanted to be like Johanna and Juan. They were outgoing, personable and very much in love.” After a year and a half their happy relationship turned tumultuous, as Ruiz became irrationally possessive and violent, Orozco says.

“I loved him and I thought if I was able to help him, he’ll be able to change,” she told “20/20’s” Elizabeth Vargas. “I guess I was just in denial.” Orozco began documenting her emotions in her journal. “Dear Journal,” she wrote in April 2006, “My heart is really sad now. Today, Juan had pushed me and called me a bitch. It hurt me so much inside. I don’t understand why he turned out to be this way…he never was like that towards me before.” With her Prince Charming long gone, Orozco tried to end things with Ruiz, but he refused.

“He would either threaten to kill me or hurt me or himself if I didn’t take him back, or he’ll beat me until I said, ‘Okay, we’re back together,’” she told “20/20.” “I was just scared.”

In a final attempt to break up, Orozco removed Ruiz’s photos from her My Space page in Feb. 2007. That’s when Ruiz came to her home in the middle of the night and raped her at knife point. Before he left, he threatened her, saying that he’d kill her, if she told anyone.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
The long awaited movie debut is here. Precious the movie is coming to a theater near you!!!

For Struggles Members:
We are going to meet up to see this movie together.

DETAILS:

When? Friday, November 6th, 2009

Where? :Lincoln Sq Center AMC.. 6pm SHARP!
1998 Broadway
New York, NY 10023
(212) 336-5000
on 68th and Broadway

We will be doing press for this event, so as always, wear your Struggles T-SHIRT, and new items will be on sale!!!!! We look forward to seeing everyone there!!!!!!!

Are you single and looking for someone to keep you warm during this brutal winter ahead of us? Well come on out to The Singles Soiree!!!! The Damage is 10$. Who knows, you may just find that special someone!

“I love him, and he loves me, so what he and I do is none of your business”. I remember those pressure filled days in highschool, with my boyfriend. I wanted to be grown and thought I was an adult. He wanted me to have sex, and as much as I wanted to, I didn’t. Why? I am not sure, but I think it had a lot to do with my sister (who is 8 years older than me) telling me that I should do anything I am not ready for, and if I am ready for sex, then I should be ready for babies, because that is why God put sex on Earth. I knew that between the track team and the Spanish club I didn’t have time for babies, so that was a major reason why I abstained. Recent studies show that teens in religiously conservative states have higher birth rates, than in states that are not so religiously conservative. What do you think? Read the following article and let’s see what the real deal is.
Are you wondering where New Yorkers rank? Actually number 46, followed by New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire.

Teen Pregnancy

Are you free this Saturday? Check this out!!!!!

Have you ever wondered where the flava for the SOUNDCHECK was found? Producer Brey with help from yours truely Struggles Corp has set up this launching pad for dedicated artists. Check out the Article here

SOUNDCHECK

Recently Michelle Obama has been named one of the World’s Most Powerful Women by Forbes. She debuted on the list at number 40. Who else is on the list you ask? Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, Oprah Winfrey, Condoleezza Rice, Katie Couric, Barbara Walters, Diane Sawyer, Chistiane Amanpour, Ruth Ginsburg and Laura Bush. Are you wondering if Mrs. Obama beat out Oprah on the list? Well, not quite, Oprah was ranked #36. KUDOS to them on this accomplishment. As you can see these Black Women are doing their things. Doesn’t it motivate you to do the same?

Hey Everyone,
There is an UPTOWN Classic BBQ going down THIS SUNDAY!!!!! Check it out!!! And remember, if you are a STRUGGLES member, rep your shirts!!!!!! By train, take the 1 train uptown to 145 street.

Harlemclassic

Are you looking for something to do this weekend? Give the Brooklyn Hajj a try. This “pilgrimage” is an attempt to broadcast everything that Brooklyn has to offer. Charles McVey, founder of the website Never Leave Brooklyn, put together the event to showcase all of brooklyn’s fine talents. The damage is 8 dollars and it entitles you to discounts at various businesses in Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Fort Greene, Park Slope and Prospect Heights. Interested? Well, what are you still doing here, check the link out and get movin!!!!!! Brooklyn Hajj

These phots were sent to us and we are pleased to post them up…Thanks again to Simone Smith who is off to college stay focus and we will see you at the top !!! Struggles corp has your back..xoxoxoxox

Next up is our lil Exec Trevor Neal Jr….he is taking after his dad and getting the job done with Struggles on his chest.xoxox so sweet…Thanks Guys

we enjoy posting the pics so keep sending them…
Show us where you were with your Struggles t-shirt on…
Thanks for the Love and support.