Strategies Against Violence Everywhere

SAVE's mission is "To empower youth to prevent violence and promote healthy lives." Violence is learned early and perpetuated by the media, society and the decisions individuals make. The effects of violence on all our lives and society is far to costly . **Though other crime rates have been reducing, there has been little decrease in violent crime rates in the state of Ohio over that past 10 years (robbery, rape, murder, 1996-2006, ODPS). **There has been a the 294% increase in the number of Ohio prison inmates [17,000 in 1997 to 50,000+ in 2007] at a cost of $25,000 per inmate per year or 1.25 billion dollars [June 2008]. (ODRC). **Violent Crimes are especially costly per offense, estimates range from $110,000 for Robbery to $8 million for Murder (McCollister, K. The Cost of Crime to Society,2004). **Loss in stable communities and tax revenue from homeowners who move in fear of violence. **Loss in employment opportunities for community members who live in violent neighborhoods. **Loss of quality of life and missed opportunities when decisions made out of fear. To many children grow up seeing and experiencing violence time and time again. Violence occurs in families, neighborhoods, nations and they are bombarded with it in the media. To them, violence seems to be an effective means to get what they want. Children also innately know that violence is hurtful and destructive which makes them very open and excited about learning a different way. SAVE provides children the time and space to learn, practice and fail then succeed in making peace. SAVE empowers children with long term prevention programming that supports their emotional and social development. SAVE program participants are engaged in learning through the arts, experiential opportunities, community service, leadership development, mentoring, physical activity, writing, tactile lessons and being part of a positive per group.