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.