American Institute of Positivity has joined forces with various community partners to rally youth to prevent Teen Violence in their communities through the War Against Teen Violence Initiative (WATV Initiative). WATV provides motivational and enrichment programming and teaches youth to focus and to engage in positive, non-violent behavior.
Youth violence refers to harmful behaviors that can start early and continue into young adulthood. The young person can be a victim, an offender, or a witness to the violence Youth violence includes various behaviors such as
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Bullying
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Slapping
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hitting
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emotional/psychological harm
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robbery and assault (with or without weapons)
Each year, an average of 1600 young people (10 - 24 years old) are treated in emergency rooms for injuries sustained from violence each day. Youth Violence accounts for the third leading cause of death for young people 15 to 24 years old. A number of factors can increase the risk of youth engaging in violence. Risk factors include
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Prior history of violence
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Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco use
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Association with deliquent peers
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Poor family functioning
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Poor grades in school
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Poverty in community
The ultimate goal is to stop youth violence before it starts. In support of the WATV initiative, AIP and partner, Global Community Enrichment Foundation have joined together to provide WATV enrichment program in schools. The mission is to reduce teen violence by 80% engaging youth and young adults through the arts, fitness, technology and social media. Our vision is giving the youth and young adults academic and professional development opportunities that will assist them in making healthy choices for current and future life goals.
Take a look at our WATV - Success Seekers/P.E.E.R. Pressure Daily Lesson Plans.
WATV programming are included in the following Philadelphia metropolitan schools and Community organizations:
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
George Meade K-8
HIGH SCHOOLS
Delaware Valley Charter High School
University Arts Charter High School
WATV Basketball Tournament
West Philadelphia Catholic High School
West Philadelphia High School
South Philadelphia High School
Delaware Valley Charter High School
Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter High School
Motivation High School
Bartram High School
Martin Luther King Community Center