Youth Violence Prevention Intiative: Brooklyn Park, Zanewood

In the summer of 2009 the Brooklyn Park City Council began its fight against youth violence. Leaders knew that waging this war would mean building a new initiative focused on redesigning city resources. Mayor Lampi took the lead and created the Brooklyn Bridge Alliance; Council member Gates traveled to Boston's National League of Cities conference on youth and families. Each council member was and continues to be a key champion in leading this initiative. From the onset the strategy was clear: Reduce youth violence by increasing opportunities.

Initiative leaders scanned the country for best practices in youth violence prevention. Their search resulted in adopting the city of Minneapolis "Blueprint for action" framework for reducing youth violence. This framework recognized that youth violence is a disease -- one that can be fought. The medicine for youth violence has four elements: connect youth to trusted adults, intervene at the first sign of risk, restore youth who have gone down the wrong path and unlearn a culture of violence.

With the creation of the Youth Opportunities Coalition and the opening of Zanewood Recreation Center the YVPI was able to connect and intervene with thousands of youth.

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Nonprofits & Activism

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• YVPI
• Brooklyn Park
• Zanewood
• city