HISTORY of WAYVE
In May 2001 Howard Munroe, a 20-year-old black man, was stabbed to death by white youth in Kitchener's Victoria Park. As a result of the community's response to this murder, the Waterloo Region Youth Action Committee partnered with the Canadian Mental Health Association to create a program aimed at dealing with violence among youth.
WHAT IS WAYVE
WAYVE stands for Working Against Youth Violence Everywhere, and is a youth-based violence prevention pilot project in Waterloo Region (Ontario, Canada).
WAYVE's purpose is to address youth issues such as bullying, harassment, discrimination, racism and gang violence. Trained to be aware of sensitive youth issues, WAYVE team members provide support to peers and community groups through education and awareness of local resources such as the YOUTH HELPLINE .
WHO IS WAYVE
The WAYVE team consists entirely of youth volunteers from three different high schools in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. These volunteers are supported by:
- ♦ guidance counselors in their schools
- ♦ a facilitator from CMHA
- ♦ a steering committee made up of community members concerned with youth violence-related issues.
HOW DOES WAYVE WORK?
The WAYVE team works to prevent violence in schools by:
- ♦ Providing peer education in classrooms through presentations and assemblies and acting as role models
- ♦ Providing information and support to peers
- ♦ Raising awareness of ways to deal with violence and discrimination
- ♦ Generating discussion among youth regarding violence issues
The WAYVE team is a presence in the community by:
- ♦ Supporting other youth through volunteering on the YOUTH HELPLINE
- ♦ Giving anti-violence presentations to community groups and neighborhood associations
- ♦ Acting as school ambassadors by participating in community-wide violence prevention campaigns and events
- ♦ Leading working groups with other youth-focused organizations
- ♦ Providing information about WAYVE activities to other organizations concerned about youth violence
JOIN WAYVE
Currently, WAYVE is looking for volunteers (16 years and up) to provide assistance to their peers on the YOUTH HELPLINE .If you're interested in starting a violence prevention group at your school, find a supportive teacher or guidance counselor to help you get started. WAYVE started with a small group of concerned individuals -- just like you!