All Across America,
Students are Impacted by Youth Violence.
“Our lives have all been altered by youth violence. We have family members who have been killed, have joined gangs, and have lost control due to drugs and alcohol. We no longer have the freedom to leave our own homes at night because we and our parents cannot trust those around us. We have been personally threatened, bullied, and physically and emotionally assaulted. ....We are not alone.”
Change Starts With Us
1 in 5 Students are Bullied
3 Million Students Witnessed Gun Violence
1 in 7 Students are Cyberbullied
How Do We Tackle Youth Violence
At the beginning of an academic year, educators facilitate middle school students in alleviating violence in their communities through NCSV-sponsored discussion and introspection. These activities, aligned with the common core to enhance the content curriculum, aim to amplify student voices, reinforce a sense of community, and propel their communities to make changes
Questions We Ask
What are the causes of youth violence?
How has violence affected your life?
What can you do to reduce youth violence?
DTWT in Action
Watch what speakers had to say when they joined us for our recognition dinner.
Why Writing?
For many students it is the first time that they have expressed themselves about how violence impacts them. Writing becomes a very cathartic and therapeutic experience. They are able to take a very personal and sometimes painful experience, put it down on paper and then move forward.
No one likes to be marginalized. Our young students have experiences, thoughts and insights that they want to share. They want to be listened to and through writing we can be invited into their world.
Young people get excited about writing when it is something directly related to them, not something abstract or academic, but something that personally affects them. Everyone has a story to tell and middle school students are open to writing about a subject that is of interest to them—themselves.
Why Middle School?
Certainly high school and elementary school students experience violence, but DTWT is targeted to middle school students because this age group is old enough to have had some experiences that might be shaping their life, yet not too old to be stuck in detrimental patterns. At a very vulnerable age, just when they are becoming teenagers we hope to connect with them, advancing our commitment to valuing their words. As they enter 6th, 7th and 8th grade, they have the mental acuity to process events in their world and in the world at large. It is also at this age that they are making subtle choices that can really impact their lives and DTWT can empower them to make good choices.
Your Story is Your Story, Grab a Pen and Tell it.
Their Story is Your Window.
Words from Our National Ambassadors
Although there is not a positive male role model in my life, I have learned from their mistakes how not to act, how not to respond and what paths to avoid. My future sons can be better than their grandfather and uncles. That family behavior and lifestyles will end with me.
Even though my life began with a rough start, I myself control my destiny and can create the life and future I want for myself. I can be a part of the change and not the problem. Not just in my family, but by helping my friends and my community reduce and prevent the issues that lead to acts of violence. Together we can prevent youth violence in this country. I can and will lead by example.
— Aria Philbert, Coastal Bend, Texas
The feeling of emptiness and dejection.
A cavity of despair growing inside of you. Regrettably, you become addicted to your most painful sorrows. You’re suffering from a depression that comes from a certain kind of pain.
Bullying, violence in one of its most fearful forms, radiates that pain. Contrary to common beliefs, bullying isn’t often limited to embarrassing or harassing someone, but can go to the extent of attacking physical and mental trauma. It is a blight that seeks to shatter worlds. Violence lurks everywhere, waiting to destroy a fragile society, so we must seek to eradicate violence fro the sake of a more prosperous future.
— Austin Johnson, Dallas, Texas
Growing up on the west side of Charlotte, North Carolina, which is considered one of the worst sides in the city, there are many factors that contribute to youth violence. The media, substance abuse, gangs, unemployment, weapons, poverty, peer pressure, broken homes, poor family environment/bad neighborhoods, and intolerance/ignorance are all causes of youth violence. In order to prevent youth violence, we need to understand what the causes are for violent youth behavior. Although the problem seems overwhelmingly difficult, the basic formula for successful treatment is quite easy: “reduce factors that place youth at risk for inflicting violence, and promote factors that protect youth at risk of violence.”.
— Nevaeh Evans, Charlotte, NC
Pledge
1.2 million students have pledged to end youth violence.
Now it's your turn.
I pledge that inaction in the face of violence is an accomplice to those that perpetuate violence.
To not stand by and watch someone be bullied, picked on, put down or abused. To speak up and talk with an adult, teacher, counselor or community member.
To reach out to those bullied or belittled and show them kindness and a non-violent way of resolving problems.
To stand for what I believe and I will not allow myself to be pressured by our peers, friends, or the media to engage in activities that
will make us lose control and engage in violent activities.
To extend the hand of friendship to those around me and set an example for those that follow me.
The best way to stop violence is for each and everyone one of us to personally commit to respect those around us and speak up for peace.
We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government in the local, state and federal levels to seek out and support programs and measures designed to combat youth violence and provide a safe and secure environment for all youth within our society.
Take Action Today
Impact Stories
Resources
Donate
