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Anti-Gang
Symposium
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The
teenagers present their views, New York,
U.S.A.
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On October 18,
2000, SGI-USA's New York Culture Center played host to an
anti-gang violence forum sponsored by the Federation of
Protestant Welfare Agencies entitled, "Red, White and
Blue . . . Colors of Inner-City America." Over 200 people
participated, mainly social workers representing more than 50
agencies working with youth in the New York City area. A
presentation by violence prevention educator LeeRoy Jordan,
Jr., whose own son was murdered recently, brought the issue
vividly to life. He spoke in detail of gang culture and urged
collaborative work between family, community, school and youth
agencies.
Five teenagers, including two SGI representatives, gave a
panel presentation entitled, "Through the Eyes of Our
Youth." The teenagers responded to questions from adults
and stressed how important it is that adults do not give up on
young people. Workshops included "Reaching the Hip Hop
Culture--What to Do When You Don't Know What to Do,"
"Gang Prevention," "NYPD (New York Police
Department) Youth Division on Gangs" and
"Understanding Gangs--What Needs Do Gangs Meet?"
The forum also included a video introducing SGI-USA's
"Victory Over Violence" campaign.
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