Students at the Albuquerque Job Corps Center have had a full week of events that focus on Youth2Youth Partner for Peace campaign.  The week had numerous events such as: Boxer Fidel Maldonado, Jr. visiting the Center discussing strategies of being violent and bully-free; community partners Albuquerque Fire Department Chief Downey and NM Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Jon Barela giving words of advice of being successful in life; students visited the New Mexico State Fair during Military and Police Appreciation Day to discuss ways to stand-up and stop the bullying; and today the entire Center had a culminating student rally against violence to include an aerial picture of all staff and students representing the peace sign.

During the rally, students expressed ways they can stop the violence in and around their lives. “These students have an opportunity to do the right thing or do the wrong thing, and it starts now,” says Tonya Scott, Center Standards Incentive Officer said during the rally. Students held RED balloons to represent that they realize they must stop and take a stand once and for all against any and all violence starting immediately. After a few words of encouragement and with the remembrance of all the students have learned during the week… they released their balloons along with any anger, resentment or thoughts of bullying.