Violence Prevention through

Youth Empowerment

K-12

Officer O. Newell

Tcvfm/Law enforcement

Introduction.

Tcvfm and local law enforcement is committed to working with at-risk students to combat violence and promote a positive attitude, good decision-making in the classroom and the local community, giving children and youth the tools and insight to make a positive mark within society.

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The Plan:

-Violence/empowerment.

This program is designed to work closely one on one with children/youth who constantly misbehave. We believe in starting early to combat violence, and investing in prevention strategies that promote healthy teacher-child relationships, peer friendships, and dating relationships. Preventing violence in every aspect of a student’s life to break the cycle of violence by developing groundbreaking programs, and promoting healthy relationships that will empower every young person.

We define youth empowerment as an attitudinal, structural, and cultural process whereby young people gain the ability, authority, and agency to make decisions and implement change in their own lives and the lives of others, including youth and adults. In schools where young people are empowered to have an influence on decisions and afforded opportunities to lead and serve, they naturally feel more self-confident and have an increased sense of pride, ownership, and connectedness for and at their school. This sense of empowerment naturally leads to a more violent free positive school/and community climate that supports increased competence, academic achievement, and overall youth success.

Best practices for increasing student voice and empowerment in schools include offering a variety of opportunities for students to have influence in decision making in the classroom and on the playground. Even the youngest of students have valuable insight and can provide input and ideas, they just need the avenue and encouragement to be contributors and to be heard and acknowledged. It makes sense to consider and value the opinions of the largest population on campus – the students. These youth empowerment opportunities incorporate leadership, service, inputs, and decision-making.

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Possible Outcome:

● Serving on a climate committee, site council, parent-student organization, etc. Student Council and committees

• ●  Student-led clubs and initiatives that they drive
• ●  Student-led campaigns that promote a value or initiative they stand behind
• ●  Leadership opportunities for more than just the leadership classes (consider the playground/campus, classrooms, social clubs, and projects)
• ●  Community service opportunities for the school and community that include service-learning component
• ●  Peer mediating, mentoring, and tutoring
• ●  Restorative Practice leaders
• ●  Serving as a Safe School Ambassador

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