Honor KAVI’s 10th Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 597 BY: Senator MONTGOMERY COMMEMORATING the 10th Anniversary of Kings Against Violence Initiative, Brooklyn, New York WHEREAS, This Legislative Body has a history of standing against violence, harassment, discrimination and all other manifestations of intolerance; and WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to commend and recognize vital organizations which focus on the well-being of our youth and strive to build a safer and stronger community; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of Kings Against Violence Initiative (KAVI), Brooklyn, New York; and WHEREAS, KAVI is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to prevent and eliminate interpersonal violence from the lives of young people through advocacy, peer leadership, community mobilization, and social justice; and WHEREAS, This important group of people work with both youth and the community to build a safer and stronger central Brooklyn by providing the social and emotional tools needed to pursue passions and fulfill potential; and WHEREAS, Young people deserve safe and supportive communities that believe in them and provide opportunities for them to grow and thrive; despite reductions in violence in New York City, violence in central Brooklyn, particularly in communities of color, is occurring at epidemic proportions; and WHEREAS, Violence is the leading cause of death among black boys and young men, ages 15-24; black girls make up 90% of all girls that are expelled ("pushed out") from New York City public schools; and WHEREAS, Violence is a disease that infiltrates and undermines communities; KAVI takes an innovative approach to combatting violence by applying strategies from public health and medicine and working diligently to strengthen individuals while at the same time impacting systems, environments and shifting norms regarding violence among youth; and WHEREAS, KAVI's three essential programs include: School Based Interventions-conducting group mentoring sessions for youth to help strengthen leadership and advocacy skills, handle conflict effectively, do better in school, and achieve their full potential; Hospital Based Interventions-providing crucial support to youth who experience intentional injuries by offering a therapeutic, trauma-informed bed-side response as well as helping young people cope with their trauma, address and de-escalate conflict and become active young leaders; and Community Based Interventions-creating community engagement programs that bring family and neighbors together to discuss and act on violence prevention, and helping community members advocate for our youth, understand and practice restorative justice and participate in collective healing; and WHEREAS, Under the leadership of its Founder, Dr. Robert Gore, KAVI's work is grounded in the belief that young people are our greatest hope for a more just and peaceful world; when we partner with our communities to invest in our youth, we understand their challenges and can work to change the course of historical inequities, tackling critical social issues such as different forms of violence; only when all youth are treated with compassion and given opportunities to thrive, can we ensure that all communities are vibrant and successful; and WHEREAS, It is imperative that we safeguard our youth, our most precious resource, and offer them a kind environment with the promise of a future of happiness and well-being; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of Kings Against Violence Initiative, Brooklyn, New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Dr. Robert Gore, Founder, Kings Against Violence Initiative, Brooklyn, New York.