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Communities in Action for Peace CAP's Motto is Put a Cap on Violence Communities in Action for Peace (CAP) Overview of Successes 1994 - 2007 CAP has provided an open, county-wide forum for individuals, groups, and agencies to join forces in violence prevention.  For the past 13 years, CAP has successfully brought diverse people and perspectives together creating an ongoing ripple of effective grassroots activities.  Here are some tangible outcomes: Convened in 1994, CAP continues to be a vibrant growing violence prevention consortium of twenty seven member organizations that meets monthly Received $35,000 from Highmark/ Blue Cross/ Blue Shield in 1996, 1997, and 1998 Awarded twenty-three mini grants to grassroot organizations throughout Allegheny County. Impacted communities include:  East Hills, McKeesport, Wilkinsburg, Garfield, East Liberty, Perry-Hilltop, Northview Heights, Homewood Brushton, and McKees Rocks Presented a concept paper on grassroots funding to the Youth Crime Prevention Council which became the model Highmark/ Blue Cross/ Blue Shield adopted for its Partnership in Prevention of Violence Project Paired, monitored, trained, provided technical assistance and professional expertise to twenty-five grassroots groups and twenty-five staff representatives Offered eleven Annual Celebration of Peace recognition dinners, the last of which was December 6th, 2005 Created a Sign for Peace project which participated in forty county events at malls, schools, civic affairs and community celebrations, e.g., "Not in Our Town," Rally Published and delivered 2,000 copies of the CAP Newsletter Bought and maintained a circulating violence prevention book and video library which is housed at the CAP Office, University of Pittsburgh, MAPS Program. In 2000 CAP was awarded the placement of an Americorps VISTA Community Organizer. Presented youth and adult workshops at the National Conference on Peacemaking and Conflict Resolution Developed and maintained a CAP FAX communication system also SAFE participant Acted as spokespersons and attended, testified, or spoke at specific violence related hearings and workshops plus served as CAP representatives to relevant groups Designated by the Pittsburgh Psychiatric Society to receive proceeds from a benefit Recognized by state, local, and regional levels for its community work Created a community team in conjunction with CISM and the V.A. to respond to crises Successful Youth Activities:  Young people from Duquesne, Beltzhoover, North Side, Penn Hills and the Hill District participated in "Stomp Out the Violence, Bring in the Peace" Talent Showcase 2001.  All performers received certificates and t-shirts with the winners receiving $200 for 1st place, $100 for 2nd place and $50 for 3rd place.  CAP’s goal of having young people from various communities and neighborhoods coming together in a positive and fun manner was realized with this event. Our first Youth Conference, “The Art of Peace” was offered Saturday, November 9th, 2002 at the Frick Art and Historical Center.  Fifty Five young peoples from ten agencies and groups participated in this event.  Participants enjoyed the Frick campus as well as three workshops, Drugs and Alcohol, Healthy Relationships and Conflict Resolution. "Creating Attitudes of Peace" - On September 18, 2004 we offered our second Youth Conference at Penn State University’s McKeesport Campus.  The evening before Hurricane Ivan created major flooding throughout Allegheny County which interfered with the projected attendance expected.  Mr. Lee Rush, Executive Director of justCommunity, Inc. was the keynote resource person.  He led the group in a series of games and activities that encouraged cooperation and positive interaction among youth.  He shared his personal journey to find, experience, and live a life of peace through his trip to Bhutan, a small country in the Himalayas. CAP member, Ms. Toni McClendon of Planned Parenthood, provided a look at how music lyrics and videos shape our relationships and views of women.  She shared lyrics, music, and videos to illustrate and challenge the values portrayed. CAP celebrated it’s 10th Anniversary with a Luncheon held at the Greentree Holiday Inn, Friday, November 19, 2004. Honorees were Marc Cherna, Director of the Allegheny Department of Human Services, Kelly e. Parker, Women's Center and Shelter and Dr. Carl Fertman, Executive Director of the MAPS Program at the University of Pittsburgh. Our most recent youth conference ….Paddling for Peace was offered in July 2005 in collaboration with CAP member organization, Three Rivers Rowing Association (TRRA). Forty young people from East McKeesport, North Side, Ross Township, Ingomar, Duquesne, West Mifflin, Oakland, Fox Chapel and East Liberty gathered at TRRA’s Millville Boathouse for a day of team-building activities, a Tobacco Free Allegheny presentation, safety instructions and Dragon Boat Training. By the end of the day all participants had successfully paddled a boat in a Dragon Boat Race requiring cooperation, physical stamina and increased muscle strength. As a result of CAP’s 2005 Youth Conference, a Youth Dragon Boat League has been developed in association with TRRA. The mission of the league is to introduce Allegheny County youth to team water sports while developing leadership, encouraging volunteerism, and enhancing the youths’ sense of self. It also offers a sense of accomplishment, an understanding of diversity and ability to work with others toward a common goal. As CAP and TRRA share a compatible mission we hope to continue a long-lasting relationship. In the summers of 2006 and 2007 approximately 70 young people from diverse communities throughout Allegheny County participated in Dragon Boat Festivals and other paddling competitions. Peace Bus Also during the summers of 2005, 2006 and 2007 CAP has offer learning through fun and games on the Peace Bus which traveled to forty eight (48) sites in Allegheny County. Our CAP Peace Bus crew offer Signs for Peace, arts and crafts, team building games, conflict resolution, music and storytelling. We look forward to offering the Peace Bus again this summer. CAP's accomplishments have been made possible by professional staff and volunteers who completed over 4,000 hours of service.  Return to Home Questions or comments, send E-mail to: tonim@pitt.edu Updated: February 27, 2008