This shows the youth groups, trainings and assemblies we conducted with youth this year

1. Program Overview & Progress Report
July – September, 2010

2. Teen Speak! Program DesignTeen Speak! Program Design
• Teen Speak! is a program where youth gather to discuss life, violence, and the potential
consequences of their behavior. The sessions and presentations are facilitated by Youth
Violence Prevention Program (YVPP) staff members and selected guests who have
expertise in youth violence prevention. Through innovative and interactive dialogues and
presentations, youth share their experience with violence, its impact on their lives, and
learn new tools to assist them in making life-affirming decisions.
• The program primarily seeks to engage youth and young adults (ages 10-18) currently living
in neighborhoods identified by Cincinnati Initiative to Reduce Violence (CIRV) as
neighborhoods that would benefit from violence reduction programming. These
neighborhoods are Avondale & Walnut Hills; Over-the-Rhine, West End and Pendleton; and
South Cumminsville, Millvale and Fay Apartments. Winton Hills has recently been added to
the priority neighborhood list due to an uptick in violence over the summer months.
• The primary focus of Teen Speak! is to prevent youth from engaging in violence while they
are still adolescents. This is accomplished by providing youth with tools to deal
constructively with conflict, manage their emotions, and weigh the consequences of their
behavior before committing a violent act.

3. Youth GroupsYouth Groups
• Various core materials are used to educate and empower youth to resist
violence. While conducting Teen Speak programming, YVPP staff attempt
to teach youth about violence prevention/intervention and conflict
resolution while utilizing creative methods to spread the message of
peace and non-violence. Upon completing program sessions, participants
of the program become “Peace Ambassadors”, acting to influence other
young people the value of positive results of non-violence. These Peace
Ambassadors assist YVPP staff in developing future youth violence
prevention programming.
• Between July 2010-September 2010, Teen Speak! has conducted a total
of six youth groups. Three of the youth groups were conducted at The
Urban League of Greater Cincinnati in the month of July, and three youth
groups were conducted at Rockdale Academy in Avondale during the
month of August.

4. Teen Speak! - Youth Group at Urban League (CPPC Host Agency)
• Youth participant total: 6
• Youth within target age: 6
Male youth: 2
Female youth: 4
• Youth Participant Race
Black: 6
• Communities served:
Colerain
Mt. Auburn
Westwood

5. Teen Speak! - Youth Group at Rockdale Academy
• Youth participant total: 28
• Youth within target age: 28
Male youth: 13
Female youth: 15
• Youth Participant Race
Black: 27
Black/White: 1
• Communities Served
Avondale
North Avondale
Northside

6. AssembliesAssemblies
• During the months of July 2010-September 2010, Teen Speak program
staff conducted a total 20 assemblies by collaborating with various
organizations within the Greater Cincinnati Area. A total of 254 youth
within the program target age range have had contact with the Teen
Speak through these assemblies. Our partnership with the following
organizations have helped the program teach, educate and engage youth
about their response to violence and how they can live violence-free lives:
Hamilton County Juvenile Court Youth Center (“2020”)Hamilton County Juvenile Court Youth Center (“2020”)
Mayor’s Green Leaf ProgramMayor’s Green Leaf Program
Cincinnati Parks Summer Nature CampCincinnati Parks Summer Nature Camp
Mt. Calvary Baptist ChurchMt. Calvary Baptist Church

7. Teen Speak! Assemblies at the Hamilton County Juvenile Court
Youth Center (“2020”)
• Total Assemblies: 10
• Total youth (10-18) reached
(through 9/30/10): 137
• Teen Speak! assemblies are
currently being conducted
every Tuesday at 2020 Youth
Center from 3:30 p.m. until
5:00 p.m.
• A Letter of Support for the
Teen Speak! program from
the Coordinator of the Youth
Center is included with this
report.

8. Teen Speak! Programming with Mayor’s
Green Leaf Program

9. Teen Speak! Assembly with the Mayor’s Green Leaf Program
• Total Assemblies with the
Green Leaf Program: 2
• Total youth reached: 34
• Teen Speak! collaborated
with the Mayor’s Green Leaf
Program to conduct a two day
assembly for youth employed
by the program. At right,
YVPP volunteer, Margaret
Long, told her story to the
youth about what it is like to
be a gun violence survivor.

10. Teen Speak Assemblies with the Cincinnati Park Department Nature Camps
• Total Assemblies: 5
• Total participants: 425
• Total youth (10-18) reached: 81
In collaboration with the Cincinnati
Parks Board, Teen Speak! staff
conducted five non-violence
assemblies for a total of 425 youth;
81 of whom were in the target age
range, and 344 participants between
the ages of 3 to 9 yrs. old.
Age-appropriate presentations were
developed by YVPP staff for these
younger children, all of which
focused on avoiding conflicts and
making good decisions.

11. Additional Assemblies, Special Events & OutreachAdditional Assemblies, Special Events & Outreach
• During this reporting period, Teen Speak! collaborated with the Summer Youth Camp
Program at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Avondale. Through two assemblies with Mt.
Calvary, Teen Speak! reached a total of 21 participants, 13 of which were within the
target age of 10 - 18.
• Teen Speak! also participated in three special/outreach events during this reporting
period. Participation involved distributing Youth Violence Prevention materials and
information to youth in attendance, recruitment of youth for participation in future
Teen Speak! events and activities, and assisting with organizing the events. The three
special/outreach events that occurred during this reporting period were:
 Avondale Health Fair
 Black Family Reunion
 Summer Peace Concert Series

12. Teen Speak! - Summer Peace Concert Series
• Total participants: 28
• Total youth (10-18) reached: 4
• Teen Speak! assisted in
recruiting local youth to
participate in play about youth
violence prevention, which was
performed at the Summer
Peace Concert Series at Eden
Park.

13. Teen Speak & Avondale Health Fair
• Total participants: 35
•Total youth (10-18) reached: 10
YVPP personnel attended the
Avondale Health Fair and
provided informational material
about youth violence and its
impact in Cincinnati.
The Teen Speak! program was
also highlighted during an open
dialogue about youth violence
prevention at this event, which
was held at the Hirsch Recreation
Center.

14. Teen Speak! & Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion
•Total participants: 100
•Total youth (10-18) reached: 35
• Teen Speak! personnel
participated in the Midwest
Regional Black Family Reunion by
showcasing the Teen Speak!
Program through dialogue with
participants and distributing
program materials dealing with
youth violence prevention.

15. Teen Speak! Coming EventsTeen Speak! Coming Events
• Teen Speak! is currently conducting youth group
programming at Rockdale Academy in Avondale, and a
second round of programming is scheduled to begin on
October 27, 2010.
• Teen Speak! is scheduled to continue facilitating assemblies
with pre-adjudicated youth at the Hamilton County Juvenile
Court Youth Center through the end of December 2010
• On October 6, Teen Speak! began facilitating new youth
group programming at the Life Skills Center of Cincinnati.
This programming with continue through November 18, 2010.

16. Post– Session Comments from Teen Speak ParticipantsPost– Session Comments from Teen Speak Participants
Participants in Teen Speak Youth Groups and Assemblies provide valuable feedback
through post session questionnaires and evaluations. The comments below represent
a sample of some of the responses from youth participants in the target age group
and illustrate how they are being positively impacted by the Teen Speak program.
(NOTE: The following comments are from sessions facilitated by Partnering Center
staff using curriculum developed by the CPPC.)
Comments from the Boys & Girls Club Regional Conference – held July 9, 2010
at Xavier University – Alter Hall:
Q. What did you learn from today’s session?
 “I learned that I can change my life around if something went bad.” - Age 14
 “No matter what the situation you can make changes to the kind of life you lead.” – Age 18
 “I learned that it isn’t too late to turn my life around.” – Age 16
 “Not to be violent” – Age 15
 “I am somebody.” – Age 15
Q. What will you do differently when faced with a violent situation?
 “I will try to avoid the situation in any way possible. - Age 18
 “Teach others” – Age 16
 “Think about my options.” – Age 18
 “I could try to stop the violence and try to help a friend to stop thinking about violence.”

17. Post– Session Comments from Teen Speak ParticipantsPost– Session Comments from Teen Speak Participants
Participants in Teen Speak Youth Groups and Assemblies provide valuable feedback
through post session questionnaires and evaluations. The comments below represent
a sample of some of the responses from youth participants in the target age group
and illustrate how they are being positively impacted by the Teen Speak program.
(NOTE: The following comments are from sessions facilitated by Partnering Center
staff using curriculum developed by the CPPC.)
Comments from the Boys & Girls Club Regional Conference – held July 9, 2010
at Xavier University – Alter Hall:
Q. What did you learn from today’s session?
 “I learned that I can change my life around if something went bad.” - Age 14
 “No matter what the situation you can make changes to the kind of life you lead.” – Age 18
 “I learned that it isn’t too late to turn my life around.” – Age 16
 “Not to be violent” – Age 15
 “I am somebody.” – Age 15
Q. What will you do differently when faced with a violent situation?
 “I will try to avoid the situation in any way possible. - Age 18
 “Teach others” – Age 16
 “Think about my options.” – Age 18
 “I could try to stop the violence and try to help a friend to stop thinking about violence.”

18. Post– Session Comments from Teen Speak ParticipantsPost– Session Comments from Teen Speak Participants
(continued)(continued)
Comments from Assembly Sessions with youth participants in the Mayor’s Green Leaf
Program – held August 4 & 5, 2010:
Q. Did you learn a new way to avoid peer pressure to be involved in violence?
How will you do this?
“Don’t be involved with the wrong people.” - Age 16
“I will refrain from addictive substances and hang with better people.” – Age 14
“Stay occupied, focused on school and surrounding myself around mentally strong individuals.” - Age
17
“Talk things out.” – Age 17
“Believe in yourself that you are too good for the bad decisions.” – Age 14
Q. What specific ways did you learn to prevent / refrain from violence?
“Be more careful, be responsible and help your friends and calm them if they are angry.” - Age 14
“Really listen to people who is trying to help you” – Age 16
“Tell someone when I witness a crime. – Age 17
“By telling people that violence is never a solution to anything.” – Age 16

19. Post– Session Comments from Teen Speak ParticipantsPost– Session Comments from Teen Speak Participants
(continued)(continued)
Comments from Assembly Sessions with youth participants at the Hamilton
County Juvenile Court Youth Center - held September 28th
, 2010:
Q. Did you learn anything new from today’s assembly? Please explain.
 “That I need to be 13 and stop doing what I’m doing because I have a 6 year old brother at
home” - Age 13
 “Yes. I need to change.” – Age 14
 “I learned what to do when I get out.” – Age 15
 “Coping skills to learn how to control myself in tough situations.” – Age 16
 “I learned you can talk to someone without them judging you.” – Age 15
Q. How can you apply today’s message to your life?
 “Never give up. No one’s perfect.” – Age 17
 “If I go home, respect my mom and dad and get new positive friends.” – Age 16
 “Stop giving in to peer pressure and get back into school. Try to get a job and get involved.” –
Age 16
 “I can do that by contacting you guys and getting help.” – Age 16

20. The following comment was written on the back of the evaluation form by a
16 year old female currently at the Hamilton County Juvenile Court Youth
Center. She writes:
“I have a daughter named Maliyah. She’s my world. I wanna be in a program that
would help me with how I act and what responsibilities to do for my daughter and
myself. I need help on self control and respect. Thx!!!”
This young woman from Price Hill then went on to leave a number where she can
receive text messages, as well as her parents’ phone number. Teen Speak
personnel are following up with this youth and her parents. We look forward to a
continued relationship with her as she leaves 2020 and works to “get on the right
path” and anticipate the day when she will be among our program’s “Peace
Ambassadors.”
Her story and the many others like it that we have received from the youth we
serve sums up the importance and impact of the Community Police
Partnering Center’s Teen Speak program. We thank the City of Cincinnati for
their support of this program and remain committed to continuing
our work to help the youth of Cincinnati realize a productive and violence-
free future.