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Vision: That we internalize respect in
thought, reflect it in action, and spread it to others, resulting
in an increase of peace in our hearts, homes, schools, workplaces
and communities.
Mission: To cultivate positive social change
by uniting schools, families and communities through STAND
& SERVE, an asset-based, peer-facilitated, program fostering
peace, respect, empathy and ownership of the solution.
The Problem: Approximately 25-50% of all children
will experience some form of abuse in childhood, 1 in 3 females
and 1 in 5 males will be sexually abused before the age of
18, 25% of adolescents have experienced physical and/or sexual
dating violence. Arizona has the highest drop out rate in
the nation, is #2 for teen suicides and is ranked in the bottom
20% of U.S. states for Overall Child Well-being. Unfortunately,
people with disabilities are at least 2 to 3 times more at
risk for all of the above. Individuals exposed to a culture
of violence/abuse are also found to be at a significantly
elevated risk for a broad range of additional concerns. A
lack of adequate resources and understanding of how to respond
exacerbates the problem.
The Solution: Stopping the problem before it happens.
(Primary Prevention) And, when “it” does happen, “it” is met
with an immediate, informed, caring and active response. Evidence
confirms that positive school, family and community, peer-facilitated
programs foster positive social change, prevent interpersonal
violence (harm to others and/or self) and are much less costly
than addressing the problem after the fact. To do this, Peer
Solutions believes in cultivating a world free from violence,
that is, A World of Peace, Love & Respect. Students with staff,
family and community support spend time creating the change
they wish to see. According to Dr. LaCerva, 90% of behavior
is learned from modeling. We, as Peers, build on community
strengths, Demonstrate Respect as the Norm and are The Solution.
STAND & SERVE (S&S) is a student-run club at local
schools, hosted by Peer Solutions, uniting elementary through
post-secondary schools, families and communities. S&S programs
foster empathy, intuition, communication, safe bystander responsibility,
identity respect, unity and resource referral skill building
while working to prevent sexual, dating, family (including
child abuse), school and gang violence, self-injury, suicide,
depression, oppression, substance abuse, eating disorders
and homelessness. S&S is offered to individuals who witness
violent behavior so that they may identify and practice healthy
behaviors. S&S replaces false norms about violence with accurate
information, highlighting and encouraging the positive qualities
of today’s youth and adults. When participants learn that
respect, not violence, is the norm, they will be more likely
to resist negative behaviors and not tolerate it from others
while Demonstrating Respect as the Norm.
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