V I P
Ventures In Peace

	General  Description

Ventures In Peace is an experiential program that empowers young people ages 11-16 and their families to handle life challenges and conflict in a positive way. VIP is an early intervention program that offers training in conflict management and problem solving strategies as a means to prevent violence.

The program fosters:

• Emotional Intelligence
• Increased Self-Awareness
• Relationship Building Skills

Group discussions and activities encourage participants to express their emotions constructively, in an environment that promotes trust, understanding and respect for oneself and others. The interactive program has proven results, providing training that helps individuals choose alternatives to negative behavior.

VIP offers a youth and a parent/guardian component. Both of these components are essential to create positive change.

Participants attend twelve weekly, two hour meetings The program is on-going and allows new participants to enter at any time.

The Youth Component of the program builds:

• Confidence and self-esteem through adventure based activities
• Cultural sensitivity with as understanding of diversity

Participants learn to resolve conflict peacefully and discover individual strengths and assets through group dialogue and team building activities.

Young people are empowered to take personal responsibility for their choices and understand the results and consequences of their actions.

The training develops skills in the following areas:

• Self Empowerment
• Decision Making
• Anger Management
• Problem Solving
• Communication
• Conflict Resolution

Parents or guardians may participate concurrently for 12 hours to develop peaceful parenting techniques and strategies for positive discipline. The training focuses on skills needed to build healthy relationships. Group participation provides support and empowerment in dealing with parenting challenges.

Parents experience growth in the following areas:

• Effective Communication
• Active Listening
• Building Trust and Respect
• Conflict Resolution

VIP participants may be referred by District Court Judges, Youth Aid Panels, School Administrators, Social Services Agencies, Counselors, Therapists, Parents or Self-Referral. Funding and/or scholarships may be available.

How the VIP program has made a difference for participants:

"This was a good program, and my son did benefit. I am sure he will use what he has gained throughout his life-perhaps when he has his own family."

"Communication with parent. My son has referred to this program on several occasions when dealing with lack of communication with others."

"It Gave us as parents new methods of communication with children."

"The VIP didn't reduce ones anger, it simply found different ways to deal with it, you can't get rid of someone's anger. It stays with that person. It was a good experience for my son. He no longer yells and shouts."

"Helps my son and I communicate better, most of the time he hears me instead of going in one ear and out the other."

"It was most helpful to talk in the group and meeting other kids. Having fun there. The only thing I did not like was it was way too short!"