Recap of National Youth Violence Prevention Week
The National SAVE
office was flooded with calls and emails from Chapters
about their successful activities for
National Youth Violence Prevention Week.
Congratulations on all of the activities and events that took place
across the country. From assemblies, to marches and
service projects, this year's event far surpassed
others in numbers of schools and communities being
involved. Thank you for making your voice heard!
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The SAVE chapter at Cherokee Middle School in Springfield, MO recently conducted a service project in
response to the disaster from the tsunami in East Asia. The SAVE chapter worked in conjunction with the
school's Student Council and Character Education Program to raise over $6,700.00 for the American Red
Cross disaster relief fund. The student's character "word of the month" was Cooperative. These
students put that word in action to cooperate with other clubs and the entire school community to
promote a day for donations. The response was tremendous as they collected envelopes of money that
morning. Students learned first hand that they can impact these victims' lives in a positive way, even if
they are half way around the world!
San Diego School Police Services SAVE Chapters, San Diego, CA
Patrick J. Wafer, Jr., SAVE Advisor
On Saturday, Jan. 15th, the Harbor Drive Community in San Diego held their annual Dr. Martin Luther King
Parade. SAVE Chapters from Gompers Middle and O'Farrell Charter schools joined together with the San
Diego City Schools Police Department Chapters, marching together showing strength in unity while
protesting the gang-related and violence of all types in the community.
Since September, the Harbor Drive Community has had 8 shootings, with 3 being teenagers. Through the
San Diego City Schools Police Department's Crime Prevention and Community Relations Unit, two more
SAVE chapters from schools within the same community are being started. "It is my feeling that we have
to work with our students in our schools, creating an environment that students will feel safe and ready to
take ownership of their school and community," says Patrick Wafer, who is heading up the movement to
have chapters set through the entire school district. "We have a great team in Chief Braun, Lt. Roda, Sgt.
Littlejohn, and John Hannon to make SAVE an important part of schools and communities all over the city."
