UProar: Urging Peace through Resilience, Opportunity, Action, and Restoration

The Youth Advisory Board of Detroit Youth Passages, a 3-year Ford Foundation funded ethnographic project that seeks to address structural conditions contributing to youth vulnerabilities, has organized a violence prevention community forum, UProar (Urging Peace through Resilience, Opportunity, Action, and Restoration). Mayor Bing, City Councilmembers and Youth Violence Prevention Co-chairs James Tate and Saunteel Jenkins have been invited to speak. The event will feature a domestic violence discussion, gang violence workshop, youth performances, viewing of the film Interrupters, a panel of University of Michigan researchers, photo voice exhibit, and good food.

In 2009, 31% of Detroit Public School students reported being in a physical fight, 20% missed school because they did not feel safe, and 9% carried a weapon. The homicide rate among youth aged 15-24 was 80.5 deaths per 100,000, a rate more than five times the out-Wayne County rate. The purpose of the event is to raise awareness, further dialogue, and strategize solutions to youth violence issues. The Youth Advisory Board is comprised of representatives from three community-based organizations: Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation, Ruth Ellis Center, and Alternative for Girls. All are welcomed to attend!