The Teen Speak! program engages at-risk youth ages 10-18 in discussions about violence prevention. Between July and September 2010, the program held 6 youth groups, 20 school assemblies reaching 254 youth, and participated in community events. Youth reported learning non-violent conflict resolution skills and the importance of making positive decisions. The program aims to continue youth groups and assemblies to help more youth pursue non-violent lives.
The New Jersey Chapter’s CPAP team was invited by the South Ward Children’s Alliance in Newark’s South Ward to support the creation of a community needs assessment that could be used in their efforts to improve public education in the South Ward. The Alliance has become increasingly aware that addressing problems in the community, such as housing, crime and recreation, is a critical part of improving the South Ward’s public schools. The CPAP was asked to support their efforts to identify social issues in the surrounding neighborhoods and how they should be prioritized. The long list of social issues in the area creates unstable environments where education becomes a huge challenge for students. The overarching goal is to create a stable life for students so they can do better in school. A major component of the field work was to work with parents of children in the schools to ensure their points of view. The team conducted a review of data provided by the Alliance, researched additional sources for data, combined them with the views of the parents and produced a final presentation of the work, including maps, data, and results.
While this was a very different kind of project for the team, considering the close link with public education, the team was enthusiastic to do it. Two of the team members brought strong backgrounds in urban public education to the project. The team’s analytical approach provided the Alliance with important information they will use to consider programs to address the neighborhood’s most urgent needs.
The team members were:
• Molly Coon
• Michael Kolber
• Christopher Kok
• Nadia Mian
• Deborah Schulze
• Tom Schulze
Planner volunteers worked with the Tri-City People's Corporation to develop a strategic plan for this struggling neighborhood in Newark's Central Ward. The community has a long list of challenges, including high crime, significant poverty, troubled schools, inadequate housing, mortgage and tax foreclosures, and little or no strong community organization to steer the strategic plan. Positive aspects of the neighborhood are several organizations with long term commitments to the neighborhood, such as Tri-City Peoples Corporation, many houses of worship willing to support the effort, a beautiful county park at its center, West Side Park, and a growing commercial district along Springfield Avenue, where Home Depot, a movie theater, a newly opened Shop Rite and a several restaurants have opened.
While the team of volunteers investigated the neighborhood and collected data and other information to support their work, they worked closely with the staff at Tri City to create a steering committee, inviting community representatives from various organizations in and around the neighborhood, including several houses of worship, elected officials, and Rutgers School of Criminal Justice in Newark. Organizing the steering committee was a significant effort. The team presented their findings with a list of strategies for continuing to organize the area, and begin to address the more pressing challenges. The first challenge will be to maintain the steering committee, which lacks strong leadership. The long term hope is that the steering committee can maintain the effort, strengthen the community organization, and apply for a planning grant from a foundation to develop a redevelopment plan.
The volunteers were:
Michael Benson
Lee Edgecomb, AIA, ASLA, AICP
Genevieve Lee
Khendra Lelie
Upendra Sapkota. AICP LEED AP
Eric Sturm
Tom Schulze, AICP
Check out global eyes magazine summer edition 2013
items include, YMCA Women of Distinction, How to work with Minorities, Neil Pitamber's poetry, awards, graduations, poems,multiculturalism etc.
This edition of Y-PEER News Bulletin contains information and updates from October - November and is put together by an amazing editorial team, consisting of Y-Peerers from different regions and with diverse backgrounds, so hopefully while reading it, you will be able to feel how diverse and interesting our network is.
The New Jersey Chapter’s CPAP team was invited by the South Ward Children’s Alliance in Newark’s South Ward to support the creation of a community needs assessment that could be used in their efforts to improve public education in the South Ward. The Alliance has become increasingly aware that addressing problems in the community, such as housing, crime and recreation, is a critical part of improving the South Ward’s public schools. The CPAP was asked to support their efforts to identify social issues in the surrounding neighborhoods and how they should be prioritized. The long list of social issues in the area creates unstable environments where education becomes a huge challenge for students. The overarching goal is to create a stable life for students so they can do better in school. A major component of the field work was to work with parents of children in the schools to ensure their points of view. The team conducted a review of data provided by the Alliance, researched additional sources for data, combined them with the views of the parents and produced a final presentation of the work, including maps, data, and results.
While this was a very different kind of project for the team, considering the close link with public education, the team was enthusiastic to do it. Two of the team members brought strong backgrounds in urban public education to the project. The team’s analytical approach provided the Alliance with important information they will use to consider programs to address the neighborhood’s most urgent needs.
The team members were:
• Molly Coon
• Michael Kolber
• Christopher Kok
• Nadia Mian
• Deborah Schulze
• Tom Schulze
Planner volunteers worked with the Tri-City People's Corporation to develop a strategic plan for this struggling neighborhood in Newark's Central Ward. The community has a long list of challenges, including high crime, significant poverty, troubled schools, inadequate housing, mortgage and tax foreclosures, and little or no strong community organization to steer the strategic plan. Positive aspects of the neighborhood are several organizations with long term commitments to the neighborhood, such as Tri-City Peoples Corporation, many houses of worship willing to support the effort, a beautiful county park at its center, West Side Park, and a growing commercial district along Springfield Avenue, where Home Depot, a movie theater, a newly opened Shop Rite and a several restaurants have opened.
While the team of volunteers investigated the neighborhood and collected data and other information to support their work, they worked closely with the staff at Tri City to create a steering committee, inviting community representatives from various organizations in and around the neighborhood, including several houses of worship, elected officials, and Rutgers School of Criminal Justice in Newark. Organizing the steering committee was a significant effort. The team presented their findings with a list of strategies for continuing to organize the area, and begin to address the more pressing challenges. The first challenge will be to maintain the steering committee, which lacks strong leadership. The long term hope is that the steering committee can maintain the effort, strengthen the community organization, and apply for a planning grant from a foundation to develop a redevelopment plan.
The volunteers were:
Michael Benson
Lee Edgecomb, AIA, ASLA, AICP
Genevieve Lee
Khendra Lelie
Upendra Sapkota. AICP LEED AP
Eric Sturm
Tom Schulze, AICP
Check out global eyes magazine summer edition 2013
items include, YMCA Women of Distinction, How to work with Minorities, Neil Pitamber's poetry, awards, graduations, poems,multiculturalism etc.
This edition of Y-PEER News Bulletin contains information and updates from October - November and is put together by an amazing editorial team, consisting of Y-Peerers from different regions and with diverse backgrounds, so hopefully while reading it, you will be able to feel how diverse and interesting our network is.
Elevating Asian Girl Human Rights: Releasing the Power of Asian Girls to Brid...GOH Foundation
Undrakh Chinchuluun, Director of PRINCESS Center for the Protection of Girls and Young Women's Rights (Central Asia/Mongolia) gave the presentation, "Empowerment of Teenage Mothers through Social Services".
View her presentation on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjnN22tJCtg
The parallel event "Elevating Asian Girl Human Rights: Releasing the power of Asian girls to bridge the gender gap" was held at the 58th NGO-CSW in New York, USA. To learn more about the Asian Girl Human Rights Campaign, please visit girlday.org
Engaging Indonesian Youth: A space to counsel, learn and access servicesYTH
Where policies and cultural taboos make it difficult to seek and access information and services through the public sector, technology has the power to fill the gap in discrete and engaging ways. CCP is working with a youth lifestyle website, an eHealth provider, and youth SRH advocates to develop a website that will guide youth in Indonesia toward taking the appropriate step to ensure their sexual and reproductive health. CCP is using a holistic and evidence-based approach to increase and improve youth engagement around SRH information and services in Indonesia. The website not only provides correct information, but also a way for youth to dialogue with counselors and access contraceptive services all facilitated through one website. This presentation will provide lessons learned conducting research and developing strategic communication interventions for reaching youth who do not regularly access SRH information and services.
Elevating Asian Girl Human Rights: Releasing the Power of Asian Girls to Brid...GOH Foundation
Undrakh Chinchuluun, Director of PRINCESS Center for the Protection of Girls and Young Women's Rights (Central Asia/Mongolia) gave the presentation, "Empowerment of Teenage Mothers through Social Services".
View her presentation on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjnN22tJCtg
The parallel event "Elevating Asian Girl Human Rights: Releasing the power of Asian girls to bridge the gender gap" was held at the 58th NGO-CSW in New York, USA. To learn more about the Asian Girl Human Rights Campaign, please visit girlday.org
Engaging Indonesian Youth: A space to counsel, learn and access servicesYTH
Where policies and cultural taboos make it difficult to seek and access information and services through the public sector, technology has the power to fill the gap in discrete and engaging ways. CCP is working with a youth lifestyle website, an eHealth provider, and youth SRH advocates to develop a website that will guide youth in Indonesia toward taking the appropriate step to ensure their sexual and reproductive health. CCP is using a holistic and evidence-based approach to increase and improve youth engagement around SRH information and services in Indonesia. The website not only provides correct information, but also a way for youth to dialogue with counselors and access contraceptive services all facilitated through one website. This presentation will provide lessons learned conducting research and developing strategic communication interventions for reaching youth who do not regularly access SRH information and services.
Efforts to Effectively Reduce Youth and Gang Violence in the City of Long BeachL_Hollie
At the Association of Criminal Justice Research meeting in October 2006 in Long Beach, CA, panelist Lydia A. Hollie, JD/MAED, made a presentation regarding effective approaches to address youth and gang violence prevention and intervention in the city of Long Beach.
Engaging Teens In Activism And Tikkun Olam Finalshiri
This session will highlight best practices and will include interactive exercises that will explore ways that you can involve teens in the activism and service learning work that you do.
CREATIVE CITIZENSHIP BUILDING CONNECTION, KNOWLEDGE, BELONG.docxwillcoxjanay
CREATIVE CITIZENSHIP: BUILDING CONNECTION, KNOWLEDGE,
BELONGING AND LEADERSHIP IN YOUNG PEOPLE
Lisa Burnett Regional Manager Transit Lounge Caboolture Qld and Anne Spelman Client Services
Coordinator Moreton Bay Region Libraries Qld
For the last three years Moreton Bay Region Libraries has hosted Transit Lounge Caboolture (TLC), a developmental
program for creative young people. Although not an obvious pairing, it has been successful, with the hosting arrangement on
the verge of transforming into a true partnership. Between them, they offer a suite of services and programs that support the
developmental needs of creative young people from pathfinders through to aspiring artists, emerging artists and professional
artists. Programs such as Mash It Up short film festival and Band Camp, services like the enewsletter and project mentoring
provide opportunities for skills development, networking, showcasing and resourcing that would not otherwise exist. Through
this unique partnership, a continuum of support has been offered that connects young people to each other, to community
resources and to professional artists and artsworkers – connection, knowledge, belonging – developing a generation of
young citizens who have a stake in their community and the skills and networks to create and lead arts and cultural activity.
Edited version of a paper presented at ‘12 to 24s @ your public library in Australia and New Zealand conference’ Qld 11-
12 June 2010.
hen we sat down to develop this paper
there was one word that dominated our
conversation – why?
• why does Transit Lounge Caboolture exist?
• why is Moreton Bay Region Libraries doing
community development work?
• why are we partnering?
• why are we interested in working with young
people?
• why arts and culture?
• why do we think other people should be doing
this?
We articulated our personal motivations, which
ultimately lead back to some clear and compelling
reasons.
Declining optimism
In the 10 years between 1995 and 2005 there was a
significant decline in young people’s optimism
regarding their preferred futures
• 49% of young people think the future quality
of life in Australia will be worse (up 25%)
• 65% think the world is headed for a bad time
of crisis and trouble (up 49%)
• although 89% would prefer a ‘green’ future
only 23% expect that is what they will see
• although only 11% prefer a ‘growth’ focused
future, 77% expect that is what will prevail.1
If you are faced with a widening gulf between your
expected and preferred futures, what does that do
to your sense of hope – especially if you do not
feel that you have any control over that situation?
Reduced feelings of wellbeing
A survey2 of more than 10,000 Australian students
from prep school to year 12 found that
• 40% of students could be described as
displaying lower levels of social and emotional
wellbeing
• there was, at most, only a weak positive
relationship.
2. Teen Speak! Program DesignTeen Speak! Program Design
• Teen Speak! is a program where youth gather to discuss life, violence, and the potential
consequences of their behavior. The sessions and presentations are facilitated by Youth
Violence Prevention Program (YVPP) staff members and selected guests who have
expertise in youth violence prevention. Through innovative and interactive dialogues and
presentations, youth share their experience with violence, its impact on their lives, and
learn new tools to assist them in making life-affirming decisions.
• The program primarily seeks to engage youth and young adults (ages 10-18) currently living
in neighborhoods identified by Cincinnati Initiative to Reduce Violence (CIRV) as
neighborhoods that would benefit from violence reduction programming. These
neighborhoods are Avondale & Walnut Hills; Over-the-Rhine, West End and Pendleton; and
South Cumminsville, Millvale and Fay Apartments. Winton Hills has recently been added to
the priority neighborhood list due to an uptick in violence over the summer months.
• The primary focus of Teen Speak! is to prevent youth from engaging in violence while they
are still adolescents. This is accomplished by providing youth with tools to deal
constructively with conflict, manage their emotions, and weigh the consequences of their
behavior before committing a violent act.
3. Youth GroupsYouth Groups
• Various core materials are used to educate and empower youth to resist
violence. While conducting Teen Speak programming, YVPP staff attempt
to teach youth about violence prevention/intervention and conflict
resolution while utilizing creative methods to spread the message of
peace and non-violence. Upon completing program sessions, participants
of the program become “Peace Ambassadors”, acting to influence other
young people the value of positive results of non-violence. These Peace
Ambassadors assist YVPP staff in developing future youth violence
prevention programming.
• Between July 2010-September 2010, Teen Speak! has conducted a total
of six youth groups. Three of the youth groups were conducted at The
Urban League of Greater Cincinnati in the month of July, and three youth
groups were conducted at Rockdale Academy in Avondale during the
month of August.
4. Teen Speak! - Youth Group at Urban League (CPPC Host Agency)
• Youth participant total: 6
• Youth within target age: 6
Male youth: 2
Female youth: 4
• Youth Participant Race
Black: 6
• Communities served:
Colerain
Mt. Auburn
Westwood
5. Teen Speak! - Youth Group at Rockdale Academy
• Youth participant total: 28
• Youth within target age: 28
Male youth: 13
Female youth: 15
• Youth Participant Race
Black: 27
Black/White: 1
• Communities Served
Avondale
North Avondale
Northside
6. AssembliesAssemblies
• During the months of July 2010-September 2010, Teen Speak program
staff conducted a total 20 assemblies by collaborating with various
organizations within the Greater Cincinnati Area. A total of 254 youth
within the program target age range have had contact with the Teen
Speak through these assemblies. Our partnership with the following
organizations have helped the program teach, educate and engage youth
about their response to violence and how they can live violence-free lives:
Hamilton County Juvenile Court Youth Center (“2020”)Hamilton County Juvenile Court Youth Center (“2020”)
Mayor’s Green Leaf ProgramMayor’s Green Leaf Program
Cincinnati Parks Summer Nature CampCincinnati Parks Summer Nature Camp
Mt. Calvary Baptist ChurchMt. Calvary Baptist Church
7. Teen Speak! Assemblies at the Hamilton County Juvenile Court
Youth Center (“2020”)
• Total Assemblies: 10
• Total youth (10-18) reached
(through 9/30/10): 137
• Teen Speak! assemblies are
currently being conducted
every Tuesday at 2020 Youth
Center from 3:30 p.m. until
5:00 p.m.
• A Letter of Support for the
Teen Speak! program from
the Coordinator of the Youth
Center is included with this
report.
9. Teen Speak! Assembly with the Mayor’s Green Leaf Program
• Total Assemblies with the
Green Leaf Program: 2
• Total youth reached: 34
• Teen Speak! collaborated
with the Mayor’s Green Leaf
Program to conduct a two day
assembly for youth employed
by the program. At right,
YVPP volunteer, Margaret
Long, told her story to the
youth about what it is like to
be a gun violence survivor.
10. Teen Speak Assemblies with the Cincinnati Park Department Nature Camps
• Total Assemblies: 5
• Total participants: 425
• Total youth (10-18) reached: 81
In collaboration with the Cincinnati
Parks Board, Teen Speak! staff
conducted five non-violence
assemblies for a total of 425 youth;
81 of whom were in the target age
range, and 344 participants between
the ages of 3 to 9 yrs. old.
Age-appropriate presentations were
developed by YVPP staff for these
younger children, all of which
focused on avoiding conflicts and
making good decisions.
11. Additional Assemblies, Special Events & OutreachAdditional Assemblies, Special Events & Outreach
• During this reporting period, Teen Speak! collaborated with the Summer Youth Camp
Program at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Avondale. Through two assemblies with Mt.
Calvary, Teen Speak! reached a total of 21 participants, 13 of which were within the
target age of 10 - 18.
• Teen Speak! also participated in three special/outreach events during this reporting
period. Participation involved distributing Youth Violence Prevention materials and
information to youth in attendance, recruitment of youth for participation in future
Teen Speak! events and activities, and assisting with organizing the events. The three
special/outreach events that occurred during this reporting period were:
Avondale Health Fair
Black Family Reunion
Summer Peace Concert Series
12. Teen Speak! - Summer Peace Concert Series
• Total participants: 28
• Total youth (10-18) reached: 4
• Teen Speak! assisted in
recruiting local youth to
participate in play about youth
violence prevention, which was
performed at the Summer
Peace Concert Series at Eden
Park.
13. Teen Speak & Avondale Health Fair
• Total participants: 35
•Total youth (10-18) reached: 10
YVPP personnel attended the
Avondale Health Fair and
provided informational material
about youth violence and its
impact in Cincinnati.
The Teen Speak! program was
also highlighted during an open
dialogue about youth violence
prevention at this event, which
was held at the Hirsch Recreation
Center.
14. Teen Speak! & Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion
•Total participants: 100
•Total youth (10-18) reached: 35
• Teen Speak! personnel
participated in the Midwest
Regional Black Family Reunion by
showcasing the Teen Speak!
Program through dialogue with
participants and distributing
program materials dealing with
youth violence prevention.
15. Teen Speak! Coming EventsTeen Speak! Coming Events
• Teen Speak! is currently conducting youth group
programming at Rockdale Academy in Avondale, and a
second round of programming is scheduled to begin on
October 27, 2010.
• Teen Speak! is scheduled to continue facilitating assemblies
with pre-adjudicated youth at the Hamilton County Juvenile
Court Youth Center through the end of December 2010
• On October 6, Teen Speak! began facilitating new youth
group programming at the Life Skills Center of Cincinnati.
This programming with continue through November 18, 2010.
16. Post– Session Comments from Teen Speak ParticipantsPost– Session Comments from Teen Speak Participants
Participants in Teen Speak Youth Groups and Assemblies provide valuable feedback
through post session questionnaires and evaluations. The comments below represent
a sample of some of the responses from youth participants in the target age group
and illustrate how they are being positively impacted by the Teen Speak program.
(NOTE: The following comments are from sessions facilitated by Partnering Center
staff using curriculum developed by the CPPC.)
Comments from the Boys & Girls Club Regional Conference – held July 9, 2010
at Xavier University – Alter Hall:
Q. What did you learn from today’s session?
“I learned that I can change my life around if something went bad.” - Age 14
“No matter what the situation you can make changes to the kind of life you lead.” – Age 18
“I learned that it isn’t too late to turn my life around.” – Age 16
“Not to be violent” – Age 15
“I am somebody.” – Age 15
Q. What will you do differently when faced with a violent situation?
“I will try to avoid the situation in any way possible. - Age 18
“Teach others” – Age 16
“Think about my options.” – Age 18
“I could try to stop the violence and try to help a friend to stop thinking about violence.”
17. Post– Session Comments from Teen Speak ParticipantsPost– Session Comments from Teen Speak Participants
Participants in Teen Speak Youth Groups and Assemblies provide valuable feedback
through post session questionnaires and evaluations. The comments below represent
a sample of some of the responses from youth participants in the target age group
and illustrate how they are being positively impacted by the Teen Speak program.
(NOTE: The following comments are from sessions facilitated by Partnering Center
staff using curriculum developed by the CPPC.)
Comments from the Boys & Girls Club Regional Conference – held July 9, 2010
at Xavier University – Alter Hall:
Q. What did you learn from today’s session?
“I learned that I can change my life around if something went bad.” - Age 14
“No matter what the situation you can make changes to the kind of life you lead.” – Age 18
“I learned that it isn’t too late to turn my life around.” – Age 16
“Not to be violent” – Age 15
“I am somebody.” – Age 15
Q. What will you do differently when faced with a violent situation?
“I will try to avoid the situation in any way possible. - Age 18
“Teach others” – Age 16
“Think about my options.” – Age 18
“I could try to stop the violence and try to help a friend to stop thinking about violence.”
18. Post– Session Comments from Teen Speak ParticipantsPost– Session Comments from Teen Speak Participants
(continued)(continued)
Comments from Assembly Sessions with youth participants in the Mayor’s Green Leaf
Program – held August 4 & 5, 2010:
Q. Did you learn a new way to avoid peer pressure to be involved in violence?
How will you do this?
“Don’t be involved with the wrong people.” - Age 16
“I will refrain from addictive substances and hang with better people.” – Age 14
“Stay occupied, focused on school and surrounding myself around mentally strong individuals.” - Age
17
“Talk things out.” – Age 17
“Believe in yourself that you are too good for the bad decisions.” – Age 14
Q. What specific ways did you learn to prevent / refrain from violence?
“Be more careful, be responsible and help your friends and calm them if they are angry.” - Age 14
“Really listen to people who is trying to help you” – Age 16
“Tell someone when I witness a crime. – Age 17
“By telling people that violence is never a solution to anything.” – Age 16
19. Post– Session Comments from Teen Speak ParticipantsPost– Session Comments from Teen Speak Participants
(continued)(continued)
Comments from Assembly Sessions with youth participants at the Hamilton
County Juvenile Court Youth Center - held September 28th
, 2010:
Q. Did you learn anything new from today’s assembly? Please explain.
“That I need to be 13 and stop doing what I’m doing because I have a 6 year old brother at
home” - Age 13
“Yes. I need to change.” – Age 14
“I learned what to do when I get out.” – Age 15
“Coping skills to learn how to control myself in tough situations.” – Age 16
“I learned you can talk to someone without them judging you.” – Age 15
Q. How can you apply today’s message to your life?
“Never give up. No one’s perfect.” – Age 17
“If I go home, respect my mom and dad and get new positive friends.” – Age 16
“Stop giving in to peer pressure and get back into school. Try to get a job and get involved.” –
Age 16
“I can do that by contacting you guys and getting help.” – Age 16
20. The following comment was written on the back of the evaluation form by a
16 year old female currently at the Hamilton County Juvenile Court Youth
Center. She writes:
“I have a daughter named Maliyah. She’s my world. I wanna be in a program that
would help me with how I act and what responsibilities to do for my daughter and
myself. I need help on self control and respect. Thx!!!”
This young woman from Price Hill then went on to leave a number where she can
receive text messages, as well as her parents’ phone number. Teen Speak
personnel are following up with this youth and her parents. We look forward to a
continued relationship with her as she leaves 2020 and works to “get on the right
path” and anticipate the day when she will be among our program’s “Peace
Ambassadors.”
Her story and the many others like it that we have received from the youth we
serve sums up the importance and impact of the Community Police
Partnering Center’s Teen Speak program. We thank the City of Cincinnati for
their support of this program and remain committed to continuing
our work to help the youth of Cincinnati realize a productive and violence-
free future.