The Do the Write Thing Challenge is an initiative of the National Campaign to Stop Violence, a non-profit organization made up of businesses, and community and government leaders. This group is committed to reducing youth violence, and improving the health of our families and communities. The Do the Write Thing Challenge Program began in 1994 as a local program in Washington, D.C. and expanded in 1996 to other cities across the U.S. Today, the program includes eighteen cities and twenty National Guard sites.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg was invited to join The Do the Write Thing Challenge Program in 1998 when the national office contacted the Mecklenburg County Fighting Back Program and asked them to manage the local initiative. The local program was launched as a pilot project in 1999 with participation from after-school programs.
One of the program's primary objectives is to motivate students to make a personal commitment, in writing, to help prevent and reduce youth violence in their home, school, and communities.
- How has youth violence and drugs affected my life?
- How has violence and drugs affected my community?
- What can I do about youth violence and drugs?
CONTACT:
Ronnie Devine
Fighting Back
704-336-4635
ronnie.devine@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
The students' essays have been published in a local
Do the Write Thing book, which can be viewed at the Mecklenburg County Fighting Back Program Administrative office.
