In the summer of 2023, the Alliance of Concerned Men utilized funding provided by the Office of Out-of-School Time (OST) Summer Strong grants to implement a comprehensive youth development program aimed at reducing violence and promoting positive life skills among at-risk youth in Washington, DC.

The primary goal of the Summer Strong programming was to empower youth to become peacebuilders in their communities, ultimately contributing to a reduction in violence and the promotion of a positive lifestyle.

With this grant, ACM served more than 60 youth from 5 to 14 years old, primarily focusing on those residing in Wards 5, 6, 7, and 8, by providing a range of services including conflict resolution training, mentorship, community engagement activities, and mental health support.

Additionally, ACM ran a 5-week Conflict Resolution Youth Training summer program for 30 youth ages 5 – 13 from Kimball Elementary School and Sousa Middle School in Greenway (Ward 7). To provide skills for youths to be peacebuilders in their communities, the program covered a variety of topics, including:

• Looking Inward: Dealing with triggers and self-soothing
• Looking Outward: Focusing on empathy and perspective
• Transforming Conflict: Dealing with the cycle of violence and learning communication
• Restorative Justice: Teaching compassion and forming peace circles