Girl Scouts Programs - Project Anti-Violence Education

Project Anti-Violence Education (P.A.V.E)

Beyond Bars and Bridge Beyond Bars	In-School	Project Anti-Violence Education	Waxter Center

Project Anti-Violence Education (P.A.V.E.) is a program designed to empower teens to discourage their peers from becoming involved in drugs and other abusive substances and violence and bullying. Here is what a former P.A.V.E. peer mentor had to say about the P.A.V.E. program:

"I believe that the two biggest problems facing youth in the country today are drug use and violence. The two go hand in hand, and without one, the other would drastically decline. Although drug use and violence affect the majority of the world, it has the biggest effect on youth. First time drug users get younger and younger year by year. In turn, that means that the perpetrators of violence are getting younger as well.

This is the main reason why I joined Project Anti-Violence Education (P.A.V.E.). The program incorporates peer counseling, mentoring, team-building and communication skills, among other activities and topics in order to reach children and teach them of the perils associated with drugs and violence. Through workshops and one-on-one mentoring, I and my fellow peer counselors address the problems associated with drugs and violence as they affect youth. We also deal with other issues like peer pressure, conflict resolution, anger management, and gangs.

This program continues to have a profound impact on me. I have been able to improve my public speaking skills, team building skills and develop skills in leadership. After working with the program from the age of 12, I have become aware of the problems that plague our society and have come to a better understanding of where I could make a difference, albeit a small one. I now look for similar opportunities where I can use the skills I have acquired through the P.A.V.E. program to benefit my community. The P.A.V.E. program opened my eyes to the problems we as a society face and made me much more tolerant of those involved with those problems, whether they play a positive or negative role.

I joined this program in order to try and help young people from going down the same road some of my friends have taken. In my opinion, education about our environment can go a long way to prevent further spreading of the same, to the next generation. Stopping the rise of drug use and violence is vital to getting the problem under control and bringing us closer to getting it resolved."

P.A.V.E. Camp
This 5-day camp focusing on Project Anti-Violence Education drew 167 children from 4 different elementary schools in the Baltimore area. These children, from seven to twelve years of age, climbed a rock wall to help build self-respect, discussed their big problems in school such as bullying, and participated in other sessions to help improve self-esteem. Cathy Herbert, P.A.V.E. Coordinator at Girl Scouts of Central Maryland, commented, "When they’re leaving each day and they’re telling you they’re so excited to come back the next day, I wish we could do it longer. We want to give them some positive reinforcement and to let them know 'You’re worth something.’” Click here to view the news story on WJZ.com with reporter Denise Koch.

When donating to the United Way use codes 050 and 8050 to designate Girl Scouts of Central Maryland

Girl Scouts of Central Maryland • 4806 Seton Drive • Baltimore, Maryland • 21215
t: 410-358-9711 / 800-492-2521• f: 410-358-9918