City of Rochester
News Release
Rochester
Peace Collective Partner Yields Promising
Results with Program for Young Men
(Sunday,
July 16, 2023) – More than
two dozen young men received an education beyond the classroom this year as
part of a Violence Intervention Program led by Baden Street Settlement of
Rochester, Inc., a Rochester Peace Collective partner.
The program serves high school males who could
benefit from additional supports to improve academics, behavior, and class
participation. As a result, 75 percent of the students in the program improved
their attendance and grades this past school year. In fact, several participants
made the honor roll, and school suspensions across all participants decreased.
“The work of Baden Street’s program is a model
example of the power of collaboration. Providing our youth with
self-development opportunities sets them apart and on a trajectory towards a brighter
future,” said Mayor Evans. “Thank you to Baden Street Settlement for providing Rochester’s
young Black men an opportunity to Choose Wisdom and become role models among
their peers.”
Twenty-five students in 9th and 11th
grades at Edison Career and Technology High School participated in the Violence
Intervention Program, which was held twice a week. It focused on the
social-emotional learning curriculum for African American young men called “The
180 Degrees Program Growing into Manhood” and included field trips, social
events, and discussions about real-life challenges and choices.
“The program is designed to help and encourage
students to improve their judgement and decision-making skills,” said Yvonne
Clinkscales, the program facilitator at Baden Street Settlement. “With positive
reassurance and the support of the City of Rochester, these students are changing
the course of their lives.”
A celebration to acknowledge and reward participating
students for their accomplishments will be held from 4 – 7 p.m. on Sunday, July
16 at the Legacy Drama House, 112 Webster Ave. The students will receive a financial
gift of up to $500 based on four criteria: program participation, improved
attendance and academic scores, and no school suspensions.
“I am proud of my students and the progress that they
have made over the past several months,” said Heidi Jackson, the assistant
principal of Edison. “I have noticed a remarkable difference in their academic
performance, confidence, and ingenuity of thought and ideas in the classroom. This
program has truly been transformational. I am grateful for Yvonne, the program
facilitator, and Baden Street Settlement for showing our 25 students how
valuable, lovable, and capable they are!”
The Violence Intervention Program will resume in
September for the new academic school year with the current cohort of students
and an additional 9th grade class.
The Rochester Peace Collective is a City of
Rochester-led consortium of anti-violence organizations that support
trauma-informed, social-emotional health programming, as well as prioritizing
re-entry services, job training, youth development and other approaches.
The City has committed $5 million in American Rescue
Plan Act (ARPA) funds to advance these efforts.
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News Media: For more information, contact Communications Director at Barbara.Pierce@CityofRochester.gov.