It’s a brand-new year, and the members of the Joliet Job Corps Center’s Y2Y group are back to work.

They’ve begun a new way to address the issue of violence among young people, and they’ve forged a new relationship with a local agency that’s assisting victims of domestic violence.

The Y2Y Student Ambassadors are now holding bi-weekly focus groups. Led by President Donald Jones and Vice President Brooklynn Willett, the first meeting on Jan. 13 included lively discussions about violence and the community. Student Angelo Adams talked about trying to be a role model for his two younger brothers. Although the youngest accepts his guidance, the other brother belongs to a street gang and won’t consider what he has to say.

Brooklynn talked about growing up in an area that did not have a gang problem. The problems between rival gangs confused her. She did not understand why the groups did not get along.

By the end of the meeting, the students had concluded that violence is the result of individual differences, a lack of knowledge and the absence of respect.

On Jan. 14, the Student Ambassadors visited Joliet’s Guardian Angel Community Services, a non-profit organization that works to prevent domestic violence. They met with Valerie Pastwa, the group’s communications specialist and volunteer coordinator. The students learned about the organization’s programs and the transitional housing provided to domestic violence victims. They presented her with a $200 donation that had been raised through bake sales and other fundraisers.

“With donations like yours, we continue to do more,” Ms. Pastwa said, thanking the students.