What to do about youth violence

GOVERNOR-ELECT Deval Patrick, you are surely familiar with a term that is in the news virtually every day in Massachusetts: youth violence.

As a society we insist that we don't know what to do about youths with guns or knives, nor do we understand why they are turning in epidemic numbers to violence as their answer to life's frustrations.

We look for solutions in youth summits and basketball tournaments, common responses after a particularly violent youth incident. We think that the deep, gut-wrenching hopelessness and anger that fuels a young person's use of weapons can be easily resolved. But we need to be honest with ourselves. We do know what to do about youth violence, but we have lacked the political will to do it.

It is our hope that you and your new administration will have the courage to move beyond feel-good meetings and photo ops to address the real issues of the most in-need youths in our state. We have spent the last decade talking with and walking the streets with youths in some of Boston's most challenged neighborhoods. What we have learned is that young people are -- no matter how adult they may seem -- developmentally unfinished. They yearn to enjoy the carefree freedoms of childhood; they want adult guidance and support; they want to do the right thing. But lacking any healthy support system, youths who are victims of profound and sustained violence and trauma are left without the essential psychological underpinnings they need to negotiate life's complex choices.

These youths need hope more than anything. And hope, in this context, costs money -- much more than the one-day stop gap measures that allow us to feel better while leaving the true problems untouched.

To change this scenario, the state and its partners need deep pockets, a long-term commitment, and the right approach. Specifically what must be done by your administration?

Develop long-term financial support for after-school and youth-development programs that do more than house youths for a few hours.

A climate of unconditional care and respect is essential, where every child feels they always have a place that has structure and boundaries -- a place that allows them to make mistakes and grow.

Develop more spaces that are physically, emotionally, and intellectually safe for youths in Boston's hardest-hit neighborhoods. Create havens. Youths must have a voice in designing these places so they will want to come there day after day, especially when they are feeling vulnerable or angry.

Broaden horizons. Challenge youth programs to develop curricula that help youths develop -- and practice -- critical daily living skills such as communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution , making healthy choices, and leadership. Foster interaction with professionals, career exploration, and college visits.

Fund a greater commitment to real community policing across all the ranks.

Establish state wide standards for training of adults and youths working in these programs and for those charged with community policing.

Develop a communication system that links schools with after-school and youth-development programs so that the power of each individual effort is compounded by the efforts of the whole.

Reward businesses that take in youths as apprentices, interns, and employees.

Business leaders, elected officials, and you, Mr. Governor-elect, must understand that this is a long-term and deep-pocketed commitment if we want the daily barrage of horror stories about youth violence to end. Society must be willing to fund comprehensive and responsive programs that are aimed at systemic change. This isn't an easy answer. This is not a simple agenda. But it will do far more than any summit or one-day basketball tournament ever hoped to.

Sister Anne Carrabino and Nikki Flionis are co-founders and co-directors of MissionSAFE, a youth development and anti-violence program in Boston.