NCJ Number
178471
Journal
Health Education and Behavior Volume: 25 Issue: 2 Dated: April 1998 Pages: 160-174
Date Published
1998
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This article describes an innovative community-based intervention program, "Kids Alive and Loved" (KAL), which is an innovative community-based intervention designed to break the cycle of violence among youth in Metropolitan Atlanta.
Abstract
KAL emerged from the African-American community as one mother's response to the violent death of her 17-year-old son. The primary objective of KAL is to break the cycle of violence by creating a social context for youth survivors to process their grief, bereavement, anger, and posttraumatic stress, so that they can begin to heal. Since 1993 KAL has maintained a weekly support group for youth survivors of violence. The group meets in a classroom at a hospital in downtown Atlanta. A 15-passenger van is used to transport the youth to and from group meetings. Attendance ranges from 10 to 18, with an average of 12 participants. A professional group therapist facilitates the support group activities. The range of races, ages, genders, and classes represented provides an opportunity for the development of tolerance and understanding across differences. Everyone present is welcome to participate in group conversations, but there is no pressure on those who prefer to sit quietly and listen. The group creates opportunities to discuss problems, dilemmas, and successes. Topics and group exercises may be introduced by the facilitator. Based on reports from the youths and discussions with parents, school personnel, and direct observation, there is preliminary evidence that the intervention may reduce assaultive behavior, improve school performance, and increase the use of social skills to resolve conflict without violence. 38 references