Source: United States Department of Justice News
WASHINGTON – U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C. (MPD), and numerous community-based organizations welcomed more than 200 youth at the 13th Annual “Breaking the Silence on Youth Violence” Anti-Violence Youth Summit, held on July 7 at MPD’s First District Police Station and streamed virtually.
The event focused on a variety of subjects, including gun violence prevention; drug and alcohol abuse prevention; mental health awareness; self-respect; diversity, understanding, and respect of the differences of others as a means of promoting allyship and reducing bullying and violence. A moment of silence was held to remember young victims lost by homicide in 2022. The summit comprised dynamic speakers, entertainment, information, and resources. U.S. Attorney Graves presented the United States Attorney’s Office’s Youth Citizenship Awards to seven youth participants. There was also a “Healing through Creativity” Poetry Contest, the winner of which read their poem at the summit.
Since the U.S. Attorney’s Office hosted its first Youth Summit in 2011, thousands have participated in this program. The event is a part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhood Program, a nationwide effort to reduce violent crime.
This year’s partners included the East of the River Family Strengthening Collaborative, the Marion Barry Summer Youth Program, the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation, the T.R.I.G.G.E.R. Project, the D.C. Prevention Centers, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Metropolitan Police Department.