Leave Out
ViolencE (L.O.V.E.) is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to
reducing violence in our communities by building a team of youth spokespeople
to communicate a message of non-violence. They offer a photojournalism program,
facilitated by professional journalists and photographers, a Leadership
Training Program, and publications.
Their
educational tools, include “ONE LOVE,” a bi-annual newspaper with a
circulation of 50,000, that publishes the work of LOVE youth and is distributed
through schools and community networks. The Courage to Change: A Teen Survival
Guide, their second book, is a teen-to-teen guide on how to deal with the
stresses that can lead to violence. The Leadership Training Program helps youth
use their experiences to teach others that there are alternatives to violence.
They lead workshops and discussions in schools across Canada, creating
awareness of youth violence through exhibits of their writing and
photographs.
Web:
www.leaveoutviolence.ca
|
Powerlessness
by Kimberly Flynn
My arms weak from the
fight
Standing
Shallow breaths in my chest
Restless
Wanting
to move, take action
Say brave words
But instead I stand in
silence
Exhausted
From the fears, the emotions
The thoughts
Of
tears that have left me
Drained
Of all the power which I
contained
Meek, frail
A shadow, an outline of
Strength Useless,
swaying idly
With nothing left to say
Nothing of what I used to
be
Remains
Taken swiftly by your words,
Your body, your hate
Every
memory of that night
Leaves me standing
My arms weak from the fight I
sway. |
|
 Alyssa
Kuzmarov is the Regional Program Director at Leave Out ViolencE
(LOVE) in Montreal. A social worker and writer, Alyssa is completing her first
manuscript entitled True Power Within, a memoir depicting her own healing
journey.
Kimberly Flynn, 18, is a talented writer and poet.
As a youth leader at Leave Out ViolencE, Kimberly uses her ability to express
herself to encourage other youth, in the after-school programs as well as in
classrooms, to find their voices. Kimberly’s own voice is powerful in its
realness and its delicate probing into the workings of the heart.
Source: ONE L.O.V.E. Vol.3 No. 2
Photo: Ian Berard |
Gary Joseph, 21, has been writing poetry since the
age of 12. Gary has learned to release his emotions on paper with a dynamic
style and rhythm. At Leave Out ViolencE, Gary provides an excellent role model
for the youth he talks to in classrooms across the city. He openly explores his
own issues and is constantly seeking to learn more about himself and others.
His poetry reveals his sensitivity as well as his willingness to take risks,
face his fears and triumph!
Jennifer Ottaway says: Born in Toronto in 1954 of
publisher (plumbing and heating catalogue) father and secretary, homemaker
mother, I was the third of four children and enjoyed a happy childhood in
Etobicoke, with extended family as neighbours. As the most hyper of the bunch I
endured/went to school and continued to a BA in Phys. Ed. I wanted to teach
outdoor education but worked as a group leader for Katimavik (federal youth
volunteer program), then raised a family and operated two small businesses,
house rental and translation. I am still owner (but frozen-out operator) of a
Holdings Corporation which owns 3 houses. I have been a massage therapist and
hope to continue. I currently live on Ile-D’Orleans and survive (well) as
a Frontier College farm labourer-literacy teacher and artist (watercolourist).
The future? The sky is the limit… I have started writing a book on my
adventures as a homeless person…I know I will be doing some kind of
‘mission’ work for the rest of my life.
|
Loss
by a bullet
by Gary Joseph
I am trying to hold on to
some understanding because I know the pain, the sadness, the grave.
I know it hurts inside to
know that the one you cared for, lived with, dreamed about, thought about,
promised things to, isn’t there anymore. You want the person to be there
with you all the way and then they’re gone, just by a bullet.
Heartache. Just by a pin
drop, they are gone and we will have that pain in us because it is hard to
forget, it is hard to leave it alone. You can’t expect us to just lie a
baby in a box and go ok?
It’s sad with me. I
still cry about it, waking up at night crying tears remembering those days we
had laughing, smiling, crying, hanging out. Even on the bad days, we’d
talk about and solve it or just leave it.
Right now I am writing this
and inside is my unhappiness. I laugh and talk, but behind that it’s all
sadness. I know I can’t stay sad all life long, but all I have to do is
bless you and others that keep me going. I always wondered how come I still
have the emotions to go on day by day. I have to close by saying I know you are
smiling down on me saying it’s ok. I know I will see you someday, but I
wonder why life goes this way. |
 Michael Paul- Martin is a Cree poet originally from
James Bay in North Ontario. He speaks Cree, and reads /writes Cree syllabics.
His first collection of poetry, She Said Sometimes I Hear Things, came out in
1996. He is currently illustrating three children’s books, slated for
publication soon. For a number of years, Michael has been one of the
writers/editors of Street Post newsletter of Toronto West. He has also worked
on scripts for theatre of the oppressed and for a movie. Michael volunteers
mainly for the poor. In June 2001, he graduated from the Community Leadership
Training program at St. Christopher House of West Toronto where the program
dealt with Antioppression and Communication (and Critical Thinking), and
Conflict Resolution and Negotiation. In the fall of 2002, after openheart
surgery, Michael returned to the North to teach.
Robert Thomas Payne was a sailor for ten years. Then
he was an actor. At one point he found himself homeless and in need. What he
saw and heard in the drop-ins and soup kitchens of Toronto confirmed his belief that all
human beings are subject to the same frailties, aspirations and realities,
though not the same opportunities. And he saw art all around him. Since 1997,
he has volunteered with St. Christopher House/The Meeting Place Drop-In as
editor and one of the writers of The Street Post. He thinks a solution to
homelessness is opening the lines of communication. He can be found wandering
the streets of Toronto, or sitting here and there, listening more than
talking. |
