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Youth Violence Prevention News

yvp-tf-816With the help of Representative Jon Hoadley, our Task Force is reviewing sensible gun legislation at the state level. We are excited and are planning a thoughtful presentation and “ask” of Community Leaders for October 6.  We invite you to join us for this Public Meeting in Mt. Zion Baptist Church’s gymnasium. Registration begins at 6pm and program 6:45pm.  All Are Welcome!

If you are interested in participating in our Public Meeting presentation and “ask”, our next Task Force planning meeting is scheduled for: Monday, September 12 at 6:00 p.m. at St. Luke’s Church. As a community we stand committed to addressing issues of violence together!

In other work, seven members of the Youth Violence Prevention Task Force met on Sunday, August 21, 2016 to discuss the curriculum for the Youth Program “Future Leaders for Peace”.  This curriculum will be implemented in the fall of 2016.  Youth from ISAAC member congregations and organizations will be invited to attend as well as other young people from the community. The full program consists of nine subjects that are being developed to be taught concurrently with the school year.  The summer session will offer our youth an opportunity to be involved in resident engagement, conferences and seminars within and outside of Michigan.  During the first year of the program, youth will be trained how to organize.  The second year of the program will consist of the youth conducting a peer listening campaign, performing an issue cut and executing an advocacy action.  The curriculum includes such topics as community organizing, government, public speaking and advocacy.  The idea is to teach, and therefore mobilize young people to recognize social justice issues, to advocate for themselves and the needs of their community. For more information please contact: collins-smithv@kalamazoocity.org and wendywing@aol.com

– Venessa Collins-Smith & Wendy Flora, Co-Chairs