Joliet Job Corps Center's Wendell Martin leads a talk show-style discussion on the causes of violence during a Y2Y event.

The Y2Y Team hosted the first talk show-style panel discussion, “Holla Back,” for the Center’s male students on March 24. The event focused on the question, “If violence is ‘the fruit,’ what is ‘the root?’”

The purpose was to challenge the Center’s male students to think critically about the origins of violence in their homes, communities and on Center. Ultimately, the goal was to empower them with the tools to process conflict in a healthy manner. Students were joined at the event by several male staff members who were there to provide support.

To begin the discussion, students considered the major causes of violence on Center. One young man suggested that it was conflicts between students. Wendell Martin, the Administrative Assistant in Finance and Administration and the Y2Y Team member who organized the event, then challenged the group to think about the cause versus the response.

“Conflict is inevitable. However, conflict doesn’t have to end in violence. In order for that to happen, we have to find healthy ways to process and respond to conflict,” Mr. Martin said.

Quentin Sanders, one of the students, agreed.

“Often times men don’t like to express how we’re feeling. It’s easier for us to just hold it all in. The bad part is that we explode later,” Quentin said.