Leave Out Violence (LOVE) was created to reduce and help eliminate violence in the lives of youth and their communities by initiating a movement of youth spokespeople who communicate a message of non-violence.

Description:
LOVE youth are a multicultural group, ages 13-18 whose lives have been burdened by violence, either as victims, witnesses, and/or perpetrators – it includes people from every race, socioeconomic level, and background. LOVE gives children the courage to change their lives. This affects their performance in school and turns them into respected and valuable members of their communities.
LOVE works on many levels.
First youth learn how to express feelings of violence through creativity. Instead of resorting to fighting they use a camera and a pencil to lash out and release their feelings. Photojournalism and writing become their tools of communication. A profound change happens when the youth realize their voice is important. They feel empowered when they know people want to hear what they have to say. They feel the need to speak out to their peers about alternatives to violent behavior. The most dedicated ones become leaders and outreach to other schools. They share stories and speak about non-violent ways to solve the troubling and confusing times of teenage years. Our success relies on youth counseling youth.

LOVE youth leaders also advise government, educators, and corporations on how violence affects youth and how change is a possibility once you have the right tools. Whether you are one person, one community or one world, these are the tools to give you strength.

History:
LOVE was started over 10 years ago because violence had deeply affected the life of a remarkable woman: Twinkle Rudberg. In 1972, her husband was stabbed to death while trying to help a woman who was being attacked for her purse. To further compound the horror and senselessness of this act, the attacker was a 14 year old boy– who was both homeless and under the influence of drugs. The young boy was a runaway, who recently joined a gang. Clearly this tragedy began long before he took the life of an innocent man.

In response to this tragedy, Twinkle decided something had to be done to help troubled youth like this lost teenager. She wanted to create an organization that would identify and focus on the causes of teen violence – neglect, isolation, lack of mentors and domestic abuse. Ten years ago, she created LOVE, which has since grown exponentially.

Since its inception, LOVE has become quite a success helping over 30,000 teens with programs from coast to coast in Canada. The trend has found its way to the United States, where LOVE had an impressive launch three years ago.

Contact people:

Linda Thibodeau, President, (212) 608-7070, (email) Mark Ferreira, Program Director, (212) 608-7070, (email) Debbie Gopstein, Program Coordinator, (212) 608-7070, (email)

Address:

64 Fulton Street Suite 801 New York, NY 10038 (See a map)

Directions:

Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: World Trade Center,   Walk distance (in minutes): 5