This interactive training is designed for practitioners working in violence interruption and youth-centered nonprofit spaces. It invites participants to reexamine the narratives we carry about young people and the communities they come from—and consider how we can shift from individual blame to collective responsibility.Through guided reflection, collaborative learning, and practical tools, participants will:
• Explore how historical and racialized narratives have shaped the way youth and communities are perceived, and how these perceptions impact support, policy, and practice.
• Identify and map the barriers that get in the way of meaningful youth engagement, while recognizing that these challenges are often rooted in systems—not in the young people themselves.
• Learn how asset-based community mapping can reframe our approach, helping us focus on strengths rather than deficits when working alongside communities impacted by violence.
• Reflect on strategies for self and collective care, acknowledging the emotional demands of this work and the importance of sustainability and support within our teams.

Two continuing education units (CEUs) will be available for participants with social work and professional counseling licenses (LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC). If you would like to request CEUs, you may do so in the evaluation survey sent after completing this training. For more information on ICOY’s training attendance policy please see here: https://www.icoyouth.org/attendance-policy/