The Streetworker program of the United Teen Equality Center focuses on developing a peace process among the many rival youth gangs in Lowell. Here is one of their success stories.

The other day Bun was talking about how he first got involved with UTEC. He laughed as he talked about how one of the UTEC staff kept “harassing’ him and his girlfriend at the movie theatre, trying to let him know about some of the programs UTEC offers. Bun never signed up for any program that day. In fact, he now states that he thought this particular staff member was somewhat of a “whackjob.’ Weeks later, we heard that he was involved in a fight with another rival gang set. Because of this initial conversation at the cinema, we now knew how to contact him. After meeting with him again, it was clear that this young man was someone well respected within his gang set (a “shot caller”). Over the coming months, another one of our staff continued “harassing” him...this time it was focused on helping him out with his current court case. Later, it was around helping him find a job.

As the months passed, our staff had earned Bun’s respect. So, when it came down to organizing a Peace Summit with his rival gang set, we knew that Bun was the one who could really make this happen. And although many of his friends distrusted the whole idea of being in the same room as their "enemies," Bun convinced them to give it a shot. We conducted circle meetings with just his "boys," building relationships with them all and planting a seed of what the peace summit might look like. During the 3-day summit, Bun was as loud as he usually is...often trying to challenge any and all of the staff on the trip. However, after various teambuilding and discussion activities, our last night was upon us.

To close this particular summit, we asked all teens to join together standing in circle in front of the fire they built themselves. We asked them to write down one thing they wanted to get rid of in their life and toss it into the fire. We then asked them to find a stone from the beach that represented one thing they wanted to take away from this trip and share that with all around the fire. After a significant period of silence without anyone starting this last piece of sharing, Bun once again shined as a leader. This time, it was a leader for peace. He quickly threw his rolled-up paper into the fire and shared how he didn’t want to upset his mother anymore...didn’t want to see her cry anymore, not knowing if her son was going to be killed one night by rival gang members. He then showed us his rock...a rock he had chosen because it symbolized the hope he gained from this trip. Peace between these two rival gang groups occurred this night by the fire. And it was not the result of any one particular topic mentioned by an adult. It was a result of all the relationship-building groundwork that occurred prior to this trip...and it was the result of such courageous words from a young leader.

After debriefing on this night, our staff only wished that the police officers and court officials that have often labeled Bun and his friends could see their stereotypes being shattered in front of this booming fire. When we all returned back home, we knew that peace was relative. Indeed, there were a couple incidents of violence between other youth in these gang sets who were not a part of this summit. However, the success of this summit was still as present as it was during this trip to a remote island. A tone was already set that weekend that these youth had a unique talent, a talent that revolved around their ability to be the peacemakers that no one else in their community could be.

Since that summit, we now know who to talk to when we hear that there might be problems on the street. We also know whom to call when there are questions as to how to resolve fights on the street. Just as importantly, our ability to empower each one of these youth to help themselves is that much greater as a result of the work accomplished on that island.. and all the follow-up that occurred since then...whether it be comforting Bun at the funeral of his friend who was recently shot or helping his girlfriend with the many health questions she has around her pregnancy.

Bun is now preparing himself to go to counseling with his girlfriend. He is now looking into a new type of promotion through his job. He is also still hanging with his "boys" on the street and in the gang. However, it was those initial crises in his life that provided an opportunity for all of us to work together...and it is his own experiences and resiliency that have provided him the opportunity to be a unique leader in our community.

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