Untitled Document

Our Definitions
and Beliefs

The Stop Sign was selected as our logo because it represents our goal of stopping violence in all its forms through the promotion of peace and justice.

The Color Black symbolizes our reclaiming of the color and our celebration of black as positive. For example many negative things are associated with “black” such as “Black eye”,Black ice” , Black Sheep of the Family”,”Black Listed”.

We remind ourselves of this commitment by wearing black T-shirts, sweatshirts, or jackets, and black pants when conducting presentations and workshops. We even often say that we are proud to be the BLACK SHEEP of the family. The same way you should be proud of being the white sheep, brown sheep or black and white sheep.

Black Hooded Sweatshirts address the prejudice that assumes adolescents in hooded sweatshirts are all in violent gang members.

OUR KEY BELIEFS

Peace and Justice Gang refers to our organization, which is not "anti gang" but "anti gang violence." In addition, we see everyone as all part of the same gang. We unite as teens, parents, children to stop all forms of gang violence.

Peace and Justice Language Instead of Violent Language is used in TAGV. We choose to always use language that promotes respect towards our 10C’s and those of others. We do not use the F (faggot), N (nigger), B (bitch), MF (motherfucker), or D (dog) words to describe others or ourselves because we believe it creates an atmosphere of violence and disrespect.

OUR MEMBERS

TAGV refers not just to the name of the program but also to the teen peer educators and leaders of the program. Aged 13-20 years, they receive ongoing training, supervision, counseling, and mentoring on peace and justice leadership.

OG, or original gang members, refers to the first group of TAGV members that started the program. Some of them are presently attending college and still participate in the program's activities when their schedules permit. Members who have graduated from the program often return to provide guidance and leadership to younger members.

TAGV ALUMNI people who have participated in TAGV but were not part of the founding group. They were the second group of TAGV members, who like the OG’s graduated from college or are presently attending college. Our alumni are still actively involved in the programs.

CAGV. refers to Children Against Gang Violence: the siblings of TAGV’s and/or the younger members of the program. Aged 8-12, they also receive ongoing training, supervision, counseling, and mentoring by TAGV's and PAGV’s.

PAGV. refers to the Parents Against Gang Violence -- the parents of members and/or the adult members of the program. They also receive counseling and support on parenting peace and justice
youth leaders. They also mentor the TAGV’s and CAGV’s.

VAGV are adults in the community and/or graduate student interns who support the program by volunteering their time. Upon approval via a group interview, they assist with tutoring, mentoring, and provide other support services for the program.

Our Definitions and Beliefs The Stop Sign was selected as our logo because it represents our goal of stopping violence in all its forms through the promotion of peace and justice. The Color Black symbolizes our reclaiming of the color and our celebration of black as positive. For example many negative things are associated with “black” such as “Black eye”,Black ice” , Black Sheep of the Family”,”Black Listed”. We remind ourselves of this commitment by wearing black T-shirts, sweatshirts, or jackets, and black pants when conducting presentations and workshops. We even often say that we are proud to be the BLACK SHEEP of the family. The same way you should be proud of being the white sheep, brown sheep or black and white sheep. Black Hooded Sweatshirts address the prejudice that assumes adolescents in hooded sweatshirts are all in violent gang members. OUR KEY BELIEFS Peace and Justice Gang refers to our organization, which is not "anti gang" but "anti gang violence." In addition, we see everyone as all part of the same gang. We unite as teens, parents, children to stop all forms of gang violence. Peace and Justice Language Instead of Violent Language is used in TAGV. We choose to always use language that promotes respect towards our 10C’s and those of others. We do not use the F (faggot), N (nigger), B (bitch), MF (motherfucker), or D (dog) words to describe others or ourselves because we believe it creates an atmosphere of violence and disrespect. OUR MEMBERS TAGV refers not just to the name of the program but also to the teen peer educators and leaders of the program. Aged 13-20 years, they receive ongoing training, supervision, counseling, and mentoring on peace and justice leadership. OG, or original gang members, refers to the first group of TAGV members that started the program. Some of them are presently attending college and still participate in the program's activities when their schedules permit. Members who have graduated from the program often return to provide guidance and leadership to younger members. TAGV ALUMNI people who have participated in TAGV but were not part of the founding group. They were the second group of TAGV members, who like the OG’s graduated from college or are presently attending college. Our alumni are still actively involved in the programs. CAGV. refers to Children Against Gang Violence: the siblings of TAGV’s and/or the younger members of the program. Aged 8-12, they also receive ongoing training, supervision, counseling, and mentoring by TAGV's and PAGV’s. PAGV. refers to the Parents Against Gang Violence -- the parents of members and/or the adult members of the program. They also receive counseling and support on parenting peace and justice youth leaders. They also mentor the TAGV’s and CAGV’s. VAGV are adults in the community and/or graduate student interns who support the program by volunteering their time. Upon approval via a group interview, they assist with tutoring, mentoring, and provide other support services for the program. Home Site Map