Correction: The story below should not have stated that Keyshawn Brooks was killed across the street from the Long Beach Job Corps Center, as it was not verified as correct information before going to print. According to a representative from the center, that statement was a factual error and Brooks was killed in another part of the city.
Those who have been affected by bullying reached out to others facing similar dilemmas in an effort to be proactive and provide a “united voice” on Monday.
The Long Beach Job Corps hosted its Youth-to-Youth kickoff, a student-run anti-violence initiative, in an event that had students give testimonials on their experiences with bullying and to provide support for those who could be facing violence in their life.
Bullying is something that is prevalent everywhere we go, according to Matthew Davis, center director of the Long Beach Job Corps.
“This is a way of our center to take a proactive approach and to put things in the hands of student leaders and give them a voice,” Davis said. “To give them an opportunity to take the lead with their peers.”
Youth-to-Youth is a new initiative that was said to have stemmed from Job Corps National Director Lenita Jacobs-Simmons. The Long Beach event was the rollout of the platform and the first of its kind to debut amongst the other 125 centers, which include some in Puerto Rico, Alaska and Hawaii.
The discussion on Monday encouraged students to discuss the consequences of bullying and shed light on its circumstances.
Among those who gave testimonials was 19-year-old Angel Rios, the Youth-to-Youth ambassador. Rios attempted suicide when he was 15 as a result of bullying over his weight and sexuality.
“At that point, I had just felt completely hopeless and that there was really no point at continuing on,” Rios said. “But then I sort of had a snap or an epiphany, and I realized that I needed to just empower myself and draw from other stories and realize how strong I had to be to still be there and to still continue on.”
Rios felt that the conversation at the event connected on a personal level.
[aesop_image imgwidth=”350px” img=”http://www.signaltribunenewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Screen-Shot-2015-09-21-at-11.48.29-AM.png” align=”right” lightbox=”on” caption=”Angel Rios shares his stories about bullying in order to spread the word on a public platform and to empower those who are struggling.” captionposition=”right”]
“It was extremely genuine,” he said. “Our students connected on a very deep, grassroots sort of level. It was extremely empowering to be able to share my story, and I know from talking with other individuals that shared their testimonials that they were happy that they were able to share their stories, as well.”
Violence struck the area six months ago when Long Beach teen Keyshawn Brooks was killed just across the street from the center. His father, Keeyon Layton, was a guest speaker at the event who addressed those in attendance and shared his story.
“I think that was just the message that our population needed to hear, and it definitely touched everybody that was in attendance,” Davis said.
Conversations such as the ones provided by Layton are the type that Youth-to-Youth leaders stress need to be integrated into the culture.
Rios wants the movement to expand past just one event.
“It’s extremely important that this anti-bullying campaign doesn’t end after a week and that it becomes what we do and what we breathe,”
Rios said. “Safety and comfortability is extremely important.”
And it begins by speaking out, he said. Testimonies like the one given by Rios serve as a necessary platform to spread the voice of anti-violence.
“By putting this leadership opportunity in their hands, it’s pretty incredible to see what they come up with,” Davis said. “To see them take it and run with it is extremely rewarding for us as staff members. It will be exciting to see where Youth- to-Youth goes.”
To transition as a bullied 15-year-old to a public speaker was a humbling moment, Rios said, but “it had to start with someone.”
“I’m honored to be able to help other kids and other people my age and bring their stories to light and to support them,” he said. “It’s all about investing a united voice to individuals. To just come out and say that we’ve had enough and that we will share our story with others and that you just don’t have to stay quiet. It has to start with someone. Being able to deliver that testimonial was a step in the right direction, and I was honored to be able to take that step.”
For more on the Long Beach Job Corps and Youth-to-Youth, visit jobcorpsy2y.com .
