What is being said in Baltimore about CNE's Violence-Free Zone Initiative

School Staff:

• Wanda Staton, Assistant Principal, School Support Dean

  Southwestern High School, Baltimore, MD

   

  "It is a God-send. We have many students here. I can bring males in when there is a conflict, but they say I can't understand. There is is a new code of ethics among kids today that tells them they have to fight or do certain things. When something happens now it is such a g ood feeling to know that I can get these guys to come into a group of students who are fighting. It's a man's thing. They can work it out. We are very fortunate to have this program here. We have seen change. They learn that this is not how you talk to a woman. This is how you show respect. It helps teach them how to relate to women."

   

• Cecelia McDaniel, Assistant Principal,

  Southwestern High school, Baltimore, MD

   

  "New Vision has helped us move students forward who had given up on themselves. There are not bad kids, but they were reaching out for something and we don't have the resources in the school system. Our kids are going to save themselves with the tools we made available to them. Everything must come from within.

   

  "There are no words to express how important this has been. New Vision is our eyes and ears. When the stsudents know you care, it makes a difference. We no longer see the large traffic jams in the halls. The program has moved the kids out of the halls and given us the tools to learn academic rigor. They don't allow the kids to give up. I applaud all of you."

   

• Beverly Jones-Perkins, Assistant Principal

  Southwestern High School, Baltimore, MD

   

  "I also am delighted to have New Visions here. I pass through so many neighborhoods with young males standing around looking hopeless. We need so much to save our young men. I like the way that Brother Billy interacts with them. Students have a tendency not to speak to teachers. The New Vision staff makes students speak and teaches them courtesies they do not know, like holding a door open for someone. It is a blessing. I applaud you all for being here."

   

Baltimore School Security Forces:

• Officer Thomas Savage

  Southwestern High School, Baltimore, MD

   

  "New Vision is definitely an asset to us and the school. It prevents a lot of situations from escalating through their counseling and assistance to us. Arrests that could have taken place didn't because of the intervention of New Vision. Sometimes an arrest is called for, but other situations have arisen where they have handled them. They have established peace. Last year we had 27 fires set in the school. This year we have only had two, and one of those was from upstairs (an area where the New Vision program is not working).

   

• Officer Black

  Southwestern High School, Baltimore, MD

   

  "I hear in the community that the parents say all the time what a good job these guys are doing. So the community is supporting this program.