In the heart of the nation’s capital, about 150 youths came together under the guiding hand of U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves for the 14th Annual "Breaking the Silence on Youth Violence" Youth Summit at The Catholic University of America's Przybyla Center. The event tackled key issues plaguing the youth of today with opioid abuse prevention, the specter of gun violence, and the often-overlooked aspect of mental health awareness taking center stage. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the gathering also paused to honor the memory of young lives cut short by homicide this year.
The summit, underpinned by the ongoing Project Safe Neighborhood Program, which ambitiously aims to decrease violent crime across America, brought together voices from law enforcement and community-based organizations. Entertainment, informative sessions, and the dispersal of various resources were among the highlights interspersed with dynamic speakers, U.S. Attorney Graves took the opportunity to confer the United States Attorney’s Office’s Youth Citizenship Awards upon four deserving young individuals who embodied the ideals of the initiative.
This annual gathering, orchestrated by the Community Engagement Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, has seen thousands of District youths participate over the years. The involvement of partners such as the East of the River Family Strengthening Collaborative, DC Department of Parks and Recreation, and The Catholic University of America, not to mention the support from several law enforcement agencies including the Metropolitan Police and the FBI, highlights the broad coalition pursuing the peace and wellbeing of the community’s younger members.
