All of Teen Empowerment's community-based sites are organizing large-scale youth conferences this year. Each conference is the culmination of the sites' work to bring people together: in dialogue sessions, community meetings, gatherings that facilitate healing from traumatic violence, and events that celebrate the power and hope of youth leadership. We are pleased to share our news of TE's recent and upcoming work to build community and bring peace to the streets.  read more »

About the Do the Write Thing (DtWT) ChallengeThe Do the Write Thing Challenge is a unique education program designed to give middle school students an outlet to communicate in classroom discussions and then in written form how violence impacts their daily lives.  In addition to exposing the causes and impact of violence, students are asked to identify what they will do to address these problems.  By emphasizing personal responsibility, the DtWT Challenge ultimately seeks to empower young people to reduce violence in their homes, schools and neighborhoods.  The DtWT Challenge expands into various cities and schools by the creation of DtWT committees formed from local businesses, community and government leaders.  From Los Angeles to Chicago to Boston to New Orleans, the DtWT Challenge is currently in 30 major cities from across the United States. DtWT is a unique violence prevention program consisting of four main elements: 1. Accepting Personal Responsibility/Therapeutic Element – The participants accept the challenge to take personal responsibility for their future and to say NO to youth violence. Writing an essay for the Challenge provides a therapeutic experience for those that have been a victim of violence. 2. Communication/Information Element – The Challenge creates an open line of communication between students and teachers. The program gives the students a chance to write about topics that are affecting their lives. In addition, the schools are provided with information about their students of which they may not be aware.  read more »