Young people celebrate their creative work to end youth violence
After a summer-long youth violence prevention campaign, Summer 612 will conclude with an event showcasing visual, theatrical and documentary art from Minneapolis youth. The works were created with the goal of raising awareness of youth violence and prevention strategies in the community. The free and public event will be held, Saturday, Sept. 22 from 2-4 p.m. at the Minneapolis Central Library. People who want to attend are asked to register in advance through Eventbrite.
Summer 612 is a campaign within the City of Minneapolis’ Blueprint for Action, which is a program that takes a public health approach to youth violence prevention. Summer 612 provides micro-grant funding to groups in the community who use it to address the Blueprint of Action’s fourth goal: recognize that violence is learned and can be unlearned by reducing the impact of violent messages in our media culture and entertainment.
Along with showcasing Summer 612, the City is also highlighting its Picturing Peace campaign, which is currently on display at the Minneapolis Central Library until the end of September. Like Summer 612, Picturing Peace allowed Minneapolis youth to raise youth violence awareness and prevention in the community through creativity. Youth took a variety of photographs symbolizing their interpretation of peace, and contest winners from this campaign will also be acknowledged at the event.
In addition to raising awareness of youth violence, the Summer 612 micro-grant program enables youth to develop unique professional skills while interacting with professionally trained photographers, producers, artists and actors.
A total of eight youth groups worked on creative projects this summer. Through the coordination of the Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support, each project has allowed youth to reflect on their personal efforts of addressing the culture of violence. These efforts allow youth to share with community, friends, family and peers their aspirations to make an impact in the fight to end youth violence. The following groups received a micro-grant for their projects and will showcase their work:
- Asian Media Access - Youth created a documentary film “Anti-Bullying,” which documents story-telling and peer-to-peer discussion on how they see violence in their lives. The youth-produced film also addresses goals on how to stop violence in north Minneapolis.
- Black Storytellers Alliance – Youth have re-written classic folk and fairy tales that portray violence with peaceful and positive endings.
- Holy Rosary – Holy Rosary examined the issue of bullying; addressing personal experiences and feelings through a powerful song, “No One Has the Right to Hurt You.” The song highlights the issue and presents a solution.
- Minneapolis Parks at Green Central with Protect Minnesota – In a joint effort with Protect Minnesota: Working to End Gun Violence, the Minneapolis Park Board and the Conflict Resolution Center worked with the Youth Peace Leaders Conflict Resolution Program to create a film presentation that illustrates how to resolve conflict non-violently.
- Pillsbury Theatre-PUC – Youth examine violence in a theatrical performance they call “The Eight Stages of Genocide,” which showcases monologues addressing self-identity and society.
- TVbyGirls – These young ladies produced a film addressing Girl Trafficking in the state of Minnesota. They talked to teens to gain an understanding on the issue, how it impacts their communities and how the problem can be eradicated.
- Phillips Neighborhood Mural Project (Main Street Project, Hope Community and Waite House) – This group has created mural in the Phillips neighborhood, which captures the challenges of the community, linking gang and domestic violence to the conditions of poverty and lack of economic opportunities for young people.
- YMCA- Emma B. Howe – Through photography, youth captured images that portray their life experiences as members of the North Minneapolis community.
The City of Minneapolis’ Department of Health and Family Support will host the event along with the Minneapolis Youth Congress. After the showcase, guests are welcome to attend a reception to enjoy light refreshments and learn more about the grantees.
Visit the City's website for more information about the Blueprint for Action and youth violence prevention in Minneapolis.
Published Sep. 13, 2012