LOVE gave me a chance to end the violence in my life and then showed me how to use my voice and my story to help other kids like me. Growing up, if I'd had someone in my life who dressed like me and acted like me and was there to support me and show me the negative side of my actions, I probably wouldn't have done many of the things I did. Many kids just need to be heard by someone they can relate to. They need someone to tell them, they're not alone and if they just turn right instead of left, they'll be ok.

Andrew, 17 years old

I was raised by a single parent in a tough Toronto neighbourhood. Violence, drugs and poverty was my reality. Now as a Youth Leader with LOVE, I go into schools, group homes and other youth facilities and speak with them about the violence in their lives and the changes and choices they can make. They are able to connect and relate to me because I have been there and been through it as well. LOVE goes beyond their mission to give youth a place of belonging. Before I felt I didn't have a voice. Being part of LOVE has not only given me a voice, it has given my neighbourhood a voice.

Youth Leader, 18 years old

LOVE is working to make our communities safer. With only one month to go until the end of the year, the homicide rate for 2008 is down 17% from 2007, according to the Toronto Police Service. But that doesn’t make the incidents of violence occurring on Toronto streets any less troubling. LOVE Youth continue to spread their message of non-violence to their peers, creating safer communities one youth, one school, one neighbourhood at a time.

In 2008 LOVE:
• Conducted two photojournalism programs for 40 youth across Toronto
• Trained 50 youth at two Leadership Training locations
• Conducted two Radio Broadcast Journalism Programs for 20 youth in partnership with Humber College
• Facilitated 10 school violence prevention committees for over 200 students in elementary and high schools
• Conducted a Summer Video Program which produced public service announcements that reached hundreds of students and adults
• Reached 10,000 students, teachers and community partners through community outreach and presentations
• Launched an incredible Spoken Word Leadership Program with 15 talented Youth Leaders
• Developed a Hate Crimes Project which increased our Leadership Training module offerings to youth
• Expanded Photojournalism into the Media Arts Program (MAP), which now includes photography, journalism, videography, broadcast and spoken word

With your help in 2009 LOVE will build a Youth Multi-Media Room which will enable LOVE's Leaders to develop materials they can use to share their stories and strategies to prevent youth violence in Toronto.

Please give Toronto a GIFT OF LOVE so we can equip our youth with the necessary tools to combat youth violence!!

YES!! I want to give a gift of LOVE this holiday season.
Please accept my gift of:
$100 – Provides a digital camera to one LOVE Youth
$500 – Sponsors a Multi-Media Workshop for 20 youth
$1,000 – Reproduces a school photojournalism exhibit
$5,000 – Reproduces a community photojournalism exhibit
$___ - Helps LOVE continue to end violence, one youth, one school, one neighbourhood at a time.