A year an half ago, Ila Herting and I developed a web page called "Youth Speak Out". We did this as an entry to Junior Summit 98 and to get kids to speak out on issues and community problems. Three of the areas in "Youth Speak Out" are issues dealing with "World Violence", "Race and Nationality", and "World Religion" and how youth can help solve these problems.

Last year I worked with an at-risk youth to develop the Juvenile Justice Center web page. This page  provides games and self assessment guides to help youth see how frustrating it is to go to the center and how to stay out. There is a game for the boys, and a handout for adults on "How to raise a juvenile delinquent." What is really interesting is to check your knowlege about who ends up in Juvenile Center.

Keeping youth busy and giving youth jobs that really make a difference is a big part of stoping violence. Juvenile Justice statistics shows youth crime or problem behavior occurs when parents are away from home, and outside of school hours. A team of youth volunteers put together a web page for  the  Volunteer Youth Center that lists over 40 meaningful jobs for youth.

This summer 1999, I was trained in Dispute Resolution and Peer Mediation. Once the four teens that were trained are certified we will help teachers set up programs in the schools as a way to become Safe Schools and provide alternatives to youth violence.

I also am starting a local chapter of  "Students Against Violence Everywhere" with my friend Eli Johnston.   Our first meeting is September 11, 1999. They  list  things you can do right now to help reduce violence in our community.      

"Stop the Violence, NOW!"