Early this month, the Long Beach Youth and Gang Violence Prevention Task Force hosted its last meeting for 2008. The Task Force has sponsored a series of educational forums this year that addressed important issues concerning family and community life, such as, conflict resolution, education, and mental health.
Culminating this year’s series was the forum was entitled, “A Promise Kept… For Our Children.” Over 175 people attend the forum. The forum offered workshops for parents, guardians, caregivers, and students. The event was coordinated by the Task Force’s Early Childhood Education Committee. Partners of the event included City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services Weed and Seed Strategy, and California State University, Long Beach Department of Social Work.
Hillary Rivers, a founding Task Force Member, a mother of three and grandparent, gave a riveting keynote message of perseverance and inspiration. She shared the challenges of being a parent of a child with special needs and the pain of losing a child to gun violence. Initially, Rivers and her husband dedicated their lives to caring for their quadriplegic son. However, her family was subsequently devastated when her second son, the father of two young children, was fatally wounded by gun violence in 2003. She is rearing her deceased son’s children. Rivers credited the Task Force with providing a forum to speak about the significant impact that youth violence has on families and ways to effectively cope with it. As Rivers told her story, tears could be seen on the faces of those sitting in the audience. She encouraged parents to love their children unconditionally and to cherish every moment with them.
Following the keynote, attendees were directed to the informational workshops.
The workshops were facilitated by: The Anti-Deflamation League, ChildNet, Children’s Family Law, Jewish Family & Children Services, LB Department of Children & Family Services, LB Department of Health & Human Services Center for Families and Youth, LB Police Department,
LBUSD Office of School Support Services, Possibilities for Education, and Women Against Gun Violence.
Middle School students participated in a workshop called “What do you See? Who am I” facilitated by ArtPeace, a project of the City of Long Beach Human Dignity Program, the ADL of Orange County/Long Beach and the CSULB Multicultural Center. The purpose of the workshop was to unleash intercultural dialogue and understanding through creativity skills exercises. Activities were also held for children 3-10 and Teenagers.
Parents were able to visit with various agencies prior to the workshop programs. A few of the participating agencies were the Boys and Girls Club of Long Beach, Cambodian Association of America, Long Beach Blast – Northpointe and Long Beach Community Improvement League.
I attended the “Alternative to NO, Alternative to KNOW” workshop facilitated by ChildNet. As a mother of two children, it was definitely a workshop I needed to attend; the information presented is worth sharing.
NO vs. KNOW
Keep your promises.
1. Say what you mean and mean what you say
2. Take a minute before u determine rewards and consequences
3. What are the benefits of keeping promise?
1. Builds Trust
2. Increases communication
3. Creates a more positive home
Nasty language is not allowed.
1. Bad language only increases anger.
2. What you say to you child eventually will be repeated back by your child to you or others.
3. Bad language cause damage, watch the way you speak.
4. Some things to do instead:
1. Take a breath before speaking.
2. Think of how you would feel if someone said that to you.
3. Use I statements.
Offer Praise.
1. Giving or receiving a complement can make your day.
2. Praise stirs up the feeling of love and the more love shown in your home chances are the happier your home will be.
3. Catch you child doing something good and tell them.
Work Together.
1. You have to starts somewhere and the easiest place is to start with you.
2. Once you begin to change and focus on keeping you promise, stop using nasty language and to offer praise you will see a shift in your whole family. People will begin to work together; you will have a better family relationship & peace.
The other workshops offered were, “Talk to with your Kids: Bullying and Gun Violence Issues,” Discipline vs. Abuse” Legal Issues Concerning Parents,” and “Know your Rights: Your Child and Special Education Rights.”
Each parent/guardian was given a bag full of parenting information. Students were given backpacks full of school supplies and reading books. The backpacks were donated from various organizations and individuals. Each family had an opportunity to leave with a Family Photo, taken by a professional photographer.
YGVPTF meetings are held at the second Monday of each month, click here for more information
