New York, NY
On March 1, 2010, The New York City Council, New York City Police Department, New York City Department of Education and CPYV launched SPEAK UP New York City. SPEAK UP New York is CPYV’s largest initiative to date. Through this program, thousands of young people are empowered to SPEAK UP and prevent violence from occurring in their communities. CPYV is proud to bring SPEAK UP to the largest school district in the country.
Cumberland County, NC
SPEAK UP Cumberland County was launched in January 2010. The two-year initiative, funded by the ESA Foundation, provides innovative means of keeping young people in Cumberland County safe from violence both in and outside of school. Serving 33 schools and over 32,000 students in Fayetteville, Hope Mills, and Spring Lake, North Carolina, State Superintendent Dr. June St. Clair Atkinson, along with Cumberland County Schools Superintendent Dr. Frank Till, and Cumberland County Sheriff Earl Butler announced the initiative at a kick-off event held on January 29, 2010. The program is currently in its second year, and is supported by a community-based awareness and education campaign, which includes in-school and community events, television and radio PSAs, and outdoor advertising.
Minneapolis, MN
In September 2009, CPYV, the Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support, Minneapolis Public Schools, and the Minneapolis Police Department collaborated to launch SPEAK UP Minneapolis. SPEAK UP Minneapolis engages students through a citywide awareness campaign that includes television and radio PSAs, transit shelter ads, and educational materials distributed in schools. These educational materials are printed in English, Spanish, Hmong, and Somali to reach the diverse population of Minneapolis students.
Puerto Rico
SPEAK UP Puerto Rico is an island-wide initiative launched in August 2008. The campaign, which has achieved a great deal of success, has brought together a range of key community-based organizations and individuals from fields such as education, youth services, law enforcement, government, and media. Campaign materials have been adapted to address the culturally relevant perceptions, attitudes, and issues that are unique to Puerto Rico. This has enabled the SPEAK UP message to resonate particularly well with Puerto Rico’s youth. The hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with professionally trained Spanish-speaking counselors. Media outreach in Puerto Rico includes PSAs aired on local television and radio stations, along with outdoor and print advertisements.
Waldron, AR
Responding to students’ safety concerns, a business teacher at Waldron High School familiarized her students with the SPEAK UP Program. With the help of one concerned teacher, students took the lead and made their case to bring SPEAK UP to their district. Waldron students continuously spread the SPEAK UP message by delivering class presentations, creating PSAs, and presenting SPEAK UP information to other students and school administrators.
