Truce Center and Nonviolent Peaceforce Partnering with Community Groups to Create Hub for Nonviolence & Safety

Press Clip Source: Fox 9
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There’s a new effort in north Minneapolis to curb violence and help keep peace. FOX 9’s Karen Scullin has the details in the news segment and accompanying transcript below.

AMY HOCKERT (NEWS ANCHOR):  Well there's a new effort in North Minneapolis to help keep the peace- The Nonviolent Peaceforce is a worldwide organization, but it's a bit newer to Minnesota. 

LEAH BENO (NEWS ANCHOR): Now they've set up a hub where not only their team, but also other community peace groups will work together under one roof. Fox 9's Karen Scullin is joining us live to speak to one of those groups that is expanding their efforts there.

KAREN SCULLIN (NEWS ANCHOR): Well, if you live in St. Paul, you've probably heard of the Truce Center. But now kids, ages 8-18, in Minneapolis will have a safe place to go and also get help if they need it. There have been truth centers in St. Paul for years, helping to keep kids off the streets. But now, Miki Lewis-Frost is calling a truce in North Minneapolis- probably long overdue since Minneapolis kids have been crossing the river for years to go to Truce. 

MIKI LEWIS-FROST (PROGRAM DIRECTOR): I've said, you know what, I'll come to you. I'll come over to find the kids over here and give them a safe space to be instead of being out here on these north side streets where you know, lately, it's seemed like it's just been real tough. 

KAREN SCULLIN (NEWS ANCHOR): Frost says at the corner of Lowery and Penn is right where he needs to be, working with community, police, and social media to identify the kids who need a new path in life.

MIKI LEWIS-FROST (PROGRAM DIRECTOR): If they want to come and play some video games and challenge me, they can. I think I'm the best. So you know, that's one of the things that I use to draw some of the kids in by telling them, 'hey, I bet you can't beat me in this video game' and that usually gets them off the street corner.

KAREN SCULLIN (NEWS ANCHOR): Resources like jobs and housing assistance are available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. But from 3 p.m. to 7, it's a place to go after school- there's food, fun and games, but also homework help, mental health help, conflict resolution, suicide prevention, and simply help making good choices, knowing someone has your back. 

MIKI LEWIS-FROST (PROGRAM DIRECTOR): One of our goals is to give kids that feeling of, 'you know what? I can do this and I have somebody that's rooting for me and counting on me to do this.'

KAREN SCULLIN (NEWS ANCHOR): Now this week, parents can already start signing up their kids for the after school program, which starts on Monday, November 20. Nonviolent Peaceforce and the Truce Center will likely have a couple more community groups move into the hub here in the near future. We're live in North Minneapolis, Karen Scullin, Fox 9.