The Cleveland Job Corps Center joined 126 Job Corps Centers around the nation in celebrating Youth 2 Youth (Y2Y): Partners 4 Peace (P4P) the week from September 17th – 21st. The anti-violence initiative is created and led by Job Corps students nationwide.

The week kicked off with a poem composed by Cleveland Job Corps Pharmacy Technician student, Aniquiana Kurtz. She conveyed inspiring words about the importance of being a positive role model for students, as well as staff, and standing up against bullying to the entire student body. Next, students and staff were given Y2Y Antiviolence pledge cards to sign. The Y2Y pledge cards were posted in the Education building.

During 6th and 7th periods on Tuesday, students and staff pushed Styrofoam cups through the holes of the Center’s chain link fence on Coit Road to make designs and send a message to the community to “STOP THE VIOLENCE.” After the sun set, they gathered for a silent protest “Glow Walk” from Coit Road to East 140th Street and Nell Avenue.

In efforts to bring awareness to bullying, the Center distributed red ribbons to all the students and staff members on Wednesday. At 3:15 p.m., everyone gathered for a group picture in front of the pergola wearing their red ribbons. Later that day, they enjoyed music from the Smuth Pik Band and participated in a Poetry Slam.

On Thursday, Academic Instructor, Lynette Greene and members of the Drama Club performed a play titled “Bully.” Afterward, students received feedback from the staff, wrote positive aspirations with chalk on the sidewalk and later, engaged in a balloon release.

The weeklong events concluded on Friday with a slew of awesome events beginning with our Guest Speaker, Founding Executive Director of Golden Ciphers, Pamela Hubbard whom encouraged students to be unapologetically themselves and strive for the stars, but also reminded students that change starts with the Man in the Mirror. Next, the Cleveland Job Corps Center and the Shaw High School Marching Band marched through the community to promote peace. They made an important stop at their adopted sister school, Iowa Maple Elementary, where the students were able to enjoy the showstopping performance of the Shaw High Schools Marching Band. Iowa Maple Elementary School was also recognizing Anti-bullying Awareness . Then, students from both institutions and staff returned to the Center to enjoy a delicious Bar-B-Que meal. Lastly, everyone enjoyed playing games, dancing, and music from DJ Caveman.