July 27, 2009

Conference of Mayors President Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels convened a youth violence prevention summit on July 7 with keynote speaker Marian Wright Edelman, founder and President of the Children's Defense Fund.

“This gathering brings together parents, young people, members of the faith community, service providers and community members to motivate and support each other in our efforts,” said Nickels. “We are fundamentally changing the way we prevent youth violence. It will take everyone working together to engage our young people and offer them a better path.”

With the theme “Inspiring Hope and Making Change,” the summit at the Rainier Vista Boys and Girls Club/Rainier Valley Teen Center included community conversations and performances by young people. Community groups held a resource fair to sign up volunteers and provide help for families in need.

“I hope every mayor in every city across America convenes these kinds of things,” Edelman told the crowd. “We've all got to figure out how to address the needs of the whole child because children don't come in pieces. Children come in families. And families come in communities. And communities are affected by the public policies and priorities.”

Last fall, Nickels proposed the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative with the goal of reducing incidents of youth violence by 50 percent. In his State of the City speech in February, Nickels promised to hold a summit to explore best practices and call the entire community to action.

Nickels proposed the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative as part of his 2009-2010 budget, and the city council approved $8 million for the effort. The initiative focuses on about 800 youth who are at highest risk of perpetuating violence or becoming victims.

Seattle's initiative includes a new approach to street outreach with the use of violence interrupters, who are privy to information on the street and may actually prevent violent acts and retaliation before they occur. The initiative also calls for establishing extended hours at some youth centers, giving children a safe place to go, or be taken, to stay out of trouble. In addition to case management, anger management and recreation programming, the city will support more community-based projects that engage and mentor young people. In April, Seattle police officers were assigned to four middle schools to focus on crisis intervention, guidance, and mentoring.

“We must all get involved in the lives of these children to guide them, to inspire them, and to create opportunities for all of our young people,” Nickels said.