violence-intervention-and-prevention-vip-program

The Violence Intervention & Prevention (VIP) Program is designed to prevent, reduce and intervene bullying and gun violence towards youth and young adults. Through awareness, education, and the development of positive skill sets we can prevent them from becoming victims or perpetrators.

Our curriculum is an innovative, engaging, and interactive educational program that teaches students to understand and appreciate diversity, positively resolve conflict and anger issues, and develop their emotional and social skills.

We accomplish this by helping them deal with their feelings and shift their perspectives about their world, peers and ultimately themselves to a positive direction. We address the realities that influence the beliefs, attitudes and drivers of bullying and violent behavior. We help students learn positive skills and tactics to deal with these behaviors,and understand the responsibility they have toward school and public safety.

This program is tailored to meet the specific needs and objectives of educational and professional institutions, social and criminal justice systems, and faith-based, community and civic service groups.

VIP Curriculum:

1. Building a Bridge for Student s to Cross Over

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Identify with the facilitators
• Have a positive sense of belonging within the group
• Develop a comfort level with participation

2. Assumptions – Recognizing Assumpt ions and Developing Internal Locus of Control

At the end of this module, participants will be able to:

• Identify assumptions in personal thinking that led to negative outcomes
• Discover how assumptions have led to bullying and violence
• Recognize the power of reactionary words after an assumption.
• Understand that everyone is subject to making assumptions, i.e., teachers, police officers, peers, parents and earn the ability of response versus reaction.
• Gain awareness that their personal “view of the world” isn’t always accurate.
• Realize the power is in self-control and self-mastery over thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

3. Influence – The Power of Your Circle of Influence

At the end of this module, participants will be able to:

• Understand the power of their surrounding positive and negative influences.
• Assess their own personal circle of influence.
• Learn how to reverse the peer pressure in their circle.

4. Expectations – Hope for the Best , Expect the Best

At the end of this module, participants will be able to:

• Discover how their self-expectations (positive and negative) drive their end results.
• Awaken to the social influences (family, “street” family) that affect their perception of self and expectation of self.
• Understand the affect of these dysfunctional exposures including violence.
• Learn their personal “domestication”, which led to their thoughts, attitudes, feelings, beliefs and behaviors.
• Grow past the excuses that create a barrier to success.

5. Results – Choices, Decisions, Consequences

At the end of this module, participants will:

• Gain a deeper awareness into the consequences that can occur from committing violent acts and carrying a gun.
• Learn the legally accepted way to own a gun in the U.S.
• Awaken to the cognitive realization that the power to change their circumstances is in their moment of choice.
• Understand that their decisions lead to consequences (positive and negative).

6. The Ripple Effect – Being Aware of Injury to Others

At the end of this module, participants will:

• Cognitively develop the realization of how their actions affect others.
• Gain a better understanding of the ripple effects of carrying an illegal gun and/or transporting peers with an illegal gun.
• Expand their awareness of the ripple effect of gun violence, and grow a sense of empathy and compassion for the victims.
• Discover examples of the positive ripple effects from positive choices, for example: when parents are a positive role model to their children.

7. Determination – Not Giving Up When Things Get Tough

At the end of this module, participants will:

• Further develop their internal locus of control
• Recognize their self-defeating thoughts and the direction that these thoughts take them.
• Learn the value of not giving up on a positive lifestyle, even when times become tough.
• Re-develop the internal motivation to reclaim their drive, in light of their current reality

8. Strengths Alive! – Living from Your Individual Superpower

At the end of this module, participants will:

• Come away with a clearer understanding of their individual strengths and talents (their Superpower)
• Recognize that by focusing on their strengths, and living from their strengths, the need for violence becomes less significant.
• Create a positive “pact” with themselves and others.
• Leave with a toolbox of positive affirmations, and a visual representation of their personal superpower.
• Earn a Certificate a Completion