Campaign to Stem
Societal Violence

Partnering with the Community

"The Enough is Enough Campaign began as one person's vision. However, stemming societal violence is not the work of one organization. It is not enough for one campus or one community to take action, for we are all responsible. This is not a work for the lone hero -- we need every possible touch point for students to be involved, whether peers, mentors, parents, teachers, spiritual leaders, counselors, trusted adult figures, or community partners. It will take all of us together -- our collective resilient spirit demanding that enough is enough." -- Gwendolyn Jordan Dungy, NASPA Executive Director

• Partner with postsecondary schools. The whole impetus behind the Enough is Enough Campaign is to stem societal violence before it reaches the nation's campuses, whether elementary, secondary, or postsecondary. Each level of education feeds the next, so it only makes sense to work together with those at other levels of the educational system. Establish programs in which students can interact with one another through the arts, tutoring, mentoring, or any number of other ways. If there are community colleges and/or four-year institutions in your school's community, be creative about partnering and finding ways for them to best plug into and support your efforts.
  
• Swap speaking opportunities. Contact community groups, spiritual institutions, clubs, and organizations. Set up opportunities for individuals or panels (including students) to speak at their functions, while inviting them to participate in school panels, as appropriate. Pursue long-term partnerships in reaching the goal of preventing or stemming the tide of violence in your community.
  
• Look for opportunities to exhibit. Don't just let the pieces produced during your school's Enough is Enough week fade away -- find opportunities to exhibit the pieces in your town hall, library, or other appropriate community venues. Work with other schools to have their students add their own pieces to the growing display.
  
• Obtain city/state proclamation. Work with your local and/or state officials to have the first week of April declared "Enough is Enough" Week. Such proclamations not only engage decision makers, but also attract media attention to your efforts.
  
• Libraries often host events related to national events. Work with your local library to coordinate different speakers and events for all ages.
  
• Develop partnerships with first responders. Know who has what resources available should a school crisis occur. It is far better to have scenarios mapped out in advance than try to navigate resources in the midst of a crisis.
  
  
• Establish relationships with recreation centers and other local organizations, such as the YMCA/YWCA, Boys and Girls Club, etc.
  

• Explore partnerships with other schools in your area. The incidence of school violence is so rare, it often doesn't make sense for every school to have personnel with specialized skills in place. Developing partnerships and devising ways in which schools can support one another in the event of crisis can be invaluable. Also be sure you're aware of resources available from the U.S. Departments of Justice and Education that often are under-utilized.
  
• Work with the Chamber of Commerce and other local businesses to help promote and sponsor events, or even host community events. Find creative ways to involve the whole range of local businesses. Explore the possibility of addressing the local Rotary to talk more generally about your goals and see how you might be able to work with businesses in your community. Also explore larger corporations with ties to the community, as they may have small grants available to support worthwhile efforts at the local level.
  
  
• Religious/spiritual institutions are a key element in any given community. If appropriate, given your type of school. work with local spiritual leaders to promote anti-violence efforts. If possible, coordinate their involvement in an "Enough is Enough" weekend, where the messages of anti-violence and community-building are reiterated from their tradition in services.