To combat gun violence and its devastating effects on youth, Philadelphia is taking a different approach by equipping kids with the art of conflict resolution. According to the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (PCHR), per the City of Philadelphia, a new program has been initiated that teaches high-risk youth the skills to peacefully mediate conflicts. The program, which is part of a growing trend to find alternative solutions to violence, helps participants understand and resist pressures that can lead to violent activities.
Statistics show that gun violence doesn’t impact all Philadelphians equally, with over three-quarters of fatal shooting victims being Black, and approximately half aged between 18 and 30. With these grim numbers, the PCHR's initiative has partnered with Temple University’s Youth Conflict Specialist program and PhillyCAM to create an immersive experience for the city's youth. Over a four-week course, 15 participants delved into intensive training on conflict resolution, bias, and civil rights, preparation for which they did school-wide and community activities — essentially becoming ambassadors of peace.
The Youth Ambassador Program also included attendance at a gun violence summit, the development of an anti-violence media project, and meetings with community leaders and law enforcement officials. As reported, program participant Tyvion Hamilton expressed satisfaction with the initiative. "I like that we’re heard. We [also] learn how to differentiate [between a] problem that isn’t going away [and a] problem you walk away from" he said, revealing that he’s been able to help friends de-escalate situations, according to the City of Philadelphia.
During the summit, Ambassador Dante Harrell raised concerns about ghost guns and received advice from District Attorney Larry Krasner to vote for representatives who prioritize these issues. This spurred dialogue among the ambassadors on the need for schools to provide more education on the voting process. One ambassador pointed out, as per the City of Philadelphia, "They put books in our hands, expect us to vote, but don’t teach us." Echoing this sentiment, PCHR announced plans to include such feedback in the curriculum for upcoming ambassador classes.
The initiative aims to empower young people to create positive change in their communities by using their voices rather than violence. With programs like the Youth Ambassador Program, Philadelphia's children might just have a fighting chance at a safer future.
