HomeIssuesViolence

Violence

Addressing violence through large-scale dialogue and collaborative action

On this page: Related Tools and Related Stories

Across the country, cities, towns, neighborhoods, campuses and schools are facing escalating levels of violence. Police and politicians can't stop the violence on their own. They need everyone's help in reducing and preventing violence from overtaking their communities.

Dialogue-to-change programs can help people build the trusting relationships necessary for long-term change on the issue of violence. People from diverse backgrounds and experiences develop trust, understand each other's experiences, and work together on solutions.

The issue guides listed on this page address violence as it relates to neighborhood safety, young people and community-police relations.

Tools

Discussion Guide: Building Strong Neighborhoods: A Study Guide for Public Dialogue and Community Problem Solving
1998
A four-session discussion guide on many important neighborhood issues including: race and other kinds of differences; young people and families; ...

Discussion Guide: Protecting Communities, Serving the Public: Police and residents building relationships to work together
2000
A five-session discussion guide designed to help communities bring police and residents together to build trust and respect, develop better ...

Discussion Guide: Youth Issues, Youth Voices: A Guide for Engaging Youth and Adults in Public Dialogue and Problem Solving
1996
A multiple-session discussion guide to help young people and adults address the community issues which involve and impact them.

Story Booklet: Vermont: Where deep-rooted democratic traditions open the way for study circles
2005
In Vermont, a state with a long and strong tradition of grass roots democracy, study circles are providing a powerful ...

Stories

News Article: Our deepest fears could hold the key to ending violence
Feelings of fear and powerlessness are driving the cycle of violence that surrounds us. To change that, we need to recognize that we need each other to thrive as individuals.

Podcast: Building community in the wake of violence
In response to the recent beating death of a teenager in Chicago, Lisa Sharon Harper of South Bronx Community Conversations shares what lessons she’s learned about building community in the wake of tragic violence. Listen to her podcast interview.

Podcast: Addressing crime in Huntington, W.V.--the 'big elephant in the room'
Huntington, W.V., is bringing the community together in dialogues this winter to take on crime and safety. “We’re doing a lot of important things in Huntington to improve city livability, but safety, that’s kind of the big elephant in the room."

News Article: West Virginia community to begin conversations on safety and crime
Following the murder of four teens in 2005, residents in Huntington, W.V., are working together to make their city safer through "Create Huntington," an initiative to help the community discuss and find ways to decrease crime.

Issues

Find ways to make progress on...

New! Issue Guide Exchange
Related Pages
Find a program