On Saturday, September 10, 2011 over 300 people participated in the Peace for Change Alliance Inc. and Urban Grass Roots Inc. Stop the Violence Summit called,”Bridging the Gap”. The goal of the summit was for youth, and adults to start communicating and work on a solution for the violence that is crippling our communities. Diverse group of leaders and youth meet to develop strategies to break the “code of silence” and reduce the acceptance of youth violence that pervade the youth culture.
This event provided a forum for youth to express their views on the causes of and solutions for violence. Summit activities helped to defuse tensions and build alliances among cliques, adults, ethnic groups, and communities by identify problems and formulate strategies for reducing mistreatment and violence, and foster improved communication between youth and adults.
As is the case with nonprofit organizations, such as Peace for Change Alliance Inc. and Urban Grass Roots Inc., one can imagine how much they rely on the merchants and community members for their support.
Tracey Dent President of Peace for Change Alliance and Priscilla Coggs-Jones President of Urban Grass Roots, would like to thank the sponsors for their support and generosity: State Representative Elizabeth Coggs, Milwaukee County Parks, Matenaer Corporation, Onyx Social Club & Restaurant, King Advisory, Inc., Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Center, Easton Wright Jr., Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful, Vtexsa, Man to Man, Brewcity Corvette Club and Unique Classic Cars.
Also we would like to thank Urban Underground, Running Rebels, Safe and Sound, Holton Youth and Family Center, The Nation of Islam, and everyone else who participated in the summit.
We also would also like to thank all the loyal foot soldiers (the multitude of volunteers both within the organizations and from the community), who helped out on this event, but worked untiringly throughout the year. Thank you to the public officials and teens who will be working throughout the year to help reduce crime for 2012.
This truly was a successful summit and we will be looking forward to the follow-up summit on Saturday, January 7th, 2012.
