(New
Haven) Wednesday, November 20, 2013 -- The Youth Haven, a New Haven
based project committed to promoting community outreach to combat gun
violence,
will hold an anti-gun violence congress on Saturday, Dec. 7 at
9:00 a.m. at Gateway Community College in Room N100. Youth Haven works
in conjunction with the New Haven Family Alliance and the New Haven
Community Health Violence Group. Several Gateway
faculty and staff are active members, including Humanities professor
and liaison, Carol Brutza, who teaches peace and conflict studies.
In preparation of the congress, high school students from the New Haven area hold weekly meetings at New Haven Family Alliance to plan breakaway sessions and propose speakers and presenters. Cecil Estes III, a junior at Co-op Arts and Humanities High School who has been involved with Youth Haven since May said, “It’s important for us to get different perspectives so we can create a real dialogue about gun violence. Engaging the youth of New Haven is key to ensuring a better community in New Haven.”
In preparation of the congress, high school students from the New Haven area hold weekly meetings at New Haven Family Alliance to plan breakaway sessions and propose speakers and presenters. Cecil Estes III, a junior at Co-op Arts and Humanities High School who has been involved with Youth Haven since May said, “It’s important for us to get different perspectives so we can create a real dialogue about gun violence. Engaging the youth of New Haven is key to ensuring a better community in New Haven.”
Part of the students'
preparation includes running focus groups on the root causes of gun
violence and how to combat them. According to coordinator Richard
Bryant, the congress will allow students to gather forms of
data from the Q&A so that they can move forward with creating a
prevention model. Students will also be able to fulfill part of their
community service requirement by attending the congress.
Gabriel Hayes, a sophomore
from Milford, said he became involved with Youth Haven to “create
positive change and make a real impact." Haynes also spoke of gaining
new insight into adult perspectives on the most useful
weapons against violence. “One man in my focus group said the best way
to fight violence was to spread the love.” With most adults eager to
assign blame to someone or something, “I just didn’t expect him to say
something like that. Something so simple but
true.”
Tiffany Lawrence, a junior at
Co-op, said she is “frustrated when violence influences younger kids
who have so much potential. I am looking forward to the event but
nervous about speaking in front of a crowd.”
Miguel McLaurin, a junior at
Riverside Education Academy, said he enjoys working at the grassroots
level. “I love a challenge and want to get the word out!”
For further details on the Youth Haven program and the Dec. 7 event, please contact Carol Brutza at
cbrutza@gatewayct.edu or (203) 285 2109.
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