Excerpts from

Breaking Walls, Building Bridges

See also: New Attitude: Vignette for Overcoming Violence, a story from the book.

"It's our hardest program," says Diane Smiley, president of United Centers in Fort Worth, Texas. She explains that escalating gang activity prompted them to create the ACT III violence prevention program for local youth. "Turnover is high because of the intensity of working with severely troubled teens and because of the dangerous neighborhoods."

Yet, despite drive-by shootings and bomb threats, the centers open each day, making a statement to the community that they are here to stay. Proclaiming themselves "neutral areas," off-limits to the display of gang signs, colors, and paraphernalia, they have become a refuge and place where youth can grow and dream of possibilities.

Frances Valdez prays each day that her 15-year-old son, Harold, will make it this time at McCurdy, a mission school in Española, New Mexico. She knows it's the only place where he has a chance. She's seen how "throw-away kids" are treated in the local public school. A counselor there warned her to get her son out, or "he'd be lost forever."

His fights, mischief, and truancy are all behind him now, because Harold is getting another chance at McCurdy, a school that nurtures Christian values and sends 85 percent of its graduates to college. Offering students counseling, support groups, and experiences in conflict mediation, McCurdy has made peacemaking its special mission in a state where violence is almost a way of life.

Pic of Book Cover

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