Creating Advocates for Non-Violence

Poverty and violence go hand-in-hand, so it's no surprise that many young people in poor neighborhoods are exposed to violence at a young age. Since children learn by example, they often accept violence as a valid way of dealing with conflict. Even small children exposed to violence are at a sharply increased risk for juvenile crime, developmental disorders and other mental health conditions that can follow them throughout their lives.

Breaking the Circle of Violence: Education and Peer Leadership

Leave Out ViolencE (LOVE) uses a unique, four-pronged approach to deal with violence in youth. Kids 12-18 whose lives have been touched by violent acts - either as victims, witnesses and/or perpetrators - are welcomed into the program, which is conducted in cooperation with New York City public schools.

In the first step, participants learn to express their feelings through photojournalism and writing. In times of conflict, each student is shown how to avoid a destructive physical response, and instead use a camera and pen to record their emotions and plan appropriate responses to conflict.

Once they've completed photojournalism training, students move on to learn leadership skills as part of LOVE committees. With the guidance of LOVE staff and youth leaders, the committees meet for in-depth discussions about youth violence in their own lives, and also create a program of communications - including talent shows, newsletters, and photojournalism exhibits. Once trained, these leaders deliver the tools of anti-violence to a broader audience, influencing their peers to find alternatives to violent behavior.

LOVE gives today's youth credible and realistic strategies to deal with and prevent violence, and the courage to change their lives.

"LOVE found me while I was steadily walking the path of ruin. I found through LOVE that I had strength and a shoulder to cry on. LOVE was my tool for change."

-Reggie Russaw, Age 18

http://www.leaveoutviolence-us.org/

Contact LOVE U.S. (Leave Out Violence U.S.)