7/5/2006
Media Contact:
Justin Ohlemiller, [317] 327-3690 |
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Mayor to highlight program aimed at helping youth steer clear of violence
INDIANAPOLIS –Mayor Bart Peterson will present the Character Achievement Award to leaders and participants of the Peace Posse Violence Prevention initiative, a program offered to Washington Township students through AYS Child Services.
When: TOMORROW, Thursday, July 6, 2006
8:30 a.m.
Where: Crooked Creek Elementary School
2150 Kessler Blvd. West Drive
Since fall of 2005, the Peace Posse Violence Prevention program has used role playing activities and group discussion to instill the importance of using peaceful practices to resolve conflict.
The program targets at-risk youth or children, grades three through five, who have had past incidents of violent behavior or been victims of bullying by other students and teaches them leadership skills, conflict resolution practices, anger management and other actions they can take to steer clear of potentially dangerous situations.
Through a survey taken after a recent graduation of students from the John Strange Elementary Peace Posse Violence Prevention program, students stated that the program taught them the importance of teamwork and effective communication, helped raise their self-esteem, gave them a sense of self-control and stressed the importance of helping others.
The Mayor also will take the opportunity to call upon the community to do their part this summer to stand against violence and work to prevent conflicts from escalating to that level by promoting peaceful conflict resolution.
As part of the city’s summer strategy to reduce crime, the Mayor two weeks ago lauded local ministers and neighborhood groups who have planned and carried out a variety of crime and violence prevention events, such as weekly neighborhood walks, peace rallies and other events aimed at fighting crime.
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