Third annual Minneapolis Youth Violence Prevention Week begins March 19
Minneapolis Youth Violence Prevention Week — set for March 19 to 23 — is an opportunity for kids and adults to take part in efforts to reduce youth violence in the city. The week is part of a national public education initiative featuring activities and events to call attention to the issue of youth violence, identify strategies to combat this public health epidemic, and promote the positive roles that youths and adults can have in making their communities and schools safer.
The City of Minneapolis, in collaboration with Minneapolis Public Schools, Minneapolis Youth Congress, and Community Power Against Violence, is urging the public and local agencies of all types to participate in Minneapolis Youth Violence Prevention Week. The week’s activities include:
- Agencies that work with youth can use a special youth violence prevention toolkit to incorporate activities in their programs that will help create a safer city for young people
- Anyone can nominate a young person or adult for the Minneapolis Peacekeeper Award. This award is an opportunity to recognize people who are making a difference in Minneapolis to address youth violence and foster community peace.
- Minneapolis youth in kindergarten – 12th grade can submit an entry for this year’s poster contest for the Speak Up tip line. This tip line allows youth to anonymously call or text in reports of potential violence including weapons in schools, parks, libraries or other locations.
Youth violence is the second leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 10 and 24, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Reducing youth violence requires a collaborative approach joining City and State agencies, community-based organizations, and residents toward a common vision.
As part of its youth violence prevention efforts in 2006, the City declared youth violence to be a public health concern. In 2008, the City formally launched the Blueprint for Action with these goals:
- Connect every youth with a trusted adult.
- Intervene at the first sign that youth are at risk for violence.
- Restore youth who have gone down the wrong path.
- Unlearn the culture of violence in our community.
For more information about how you can participate in the Minneapolis Youth Violence Prevention Week, visit the City of Minneapolis website.
Published Mar. 14, 2012