LOVE youth are a multicultural group, ages 13-18 whose lives have been burdened by violence, either as victims, witnesses, and/or perpetrators - it includes people from any race, socioeconomic level, or background. LOVE gives them the courage to change their lives. This affects their performance in school and turns them into respected and valuable members of their community.
LOVE works on many levels:
First youth learn how to express feelings of violence through creativity. Instead of resorting to fighting they use a camera and a pencil to lash out and release their feelings. Photojournalism and writing become their tools of communication. A profound change happens when the youth realize their voice is important. They feel empowered when they know people want to hear what they have to say. They feel the need to speak out to their peers about alternatives to violent behavior. The most dedicated ones become leaders and outreach to other schools, telling of how violence is not the only solution to life's problems. Our success depends on youth counseling youth.
LOVE youth leaders also advise government, educators, and corporations on how violence affects youth and how change is a possibility once you have the right tools. Whether you are one person, one community or one world, these are the tools to give you strength.
- SUCCESS STASTICS AND ACHEIVEMENTS:
- Annual program participation is growing by almost 25% annually.
- Established LOVE Programs all across Canada and now in New York City at the School of the Future. Many schools in NYC are currently on a waiting list for the LOVE program.
- Over 1000 youth counselors have been trained and they have reached nearly 40,000 youth with the LOVE message.
- Two books authored by the youth of L.O.V.E have been published. And one has been translated into French.
- Produce a quarterly newspaper that reaches over 100,000 youth across Canada and the US.
- Successfully evaluated by Educon Marketing and Research Systems -please contact us for a copy of the report.
