Emergency department physicians see the results of gun and gang violence everyday. They are treating more and more children in emergency rooms at an alarming rate.

Violence Prevention Institute was founded by Board Certified Emergency Medicine Physicians in response to the increasing number of youth victims and perpetrators of violent crimes treated in emergency rooms everyday. These concerned physicians experience the day-to-day result of gang-related and gun violence first hand because of the number of injuries and fatalities appearing in the emergency room. It is apparent that gang and gun violence is a growing public health crisis.

Doctors presenting VPI programs show students slides of real victims and their injuries leaving nothing to the imagination. In graphic detail they explain the procedures used in treating these injuries and demonstrate how surgical instruments are used in an emergency room. The doctors also explain that criminals committing crimes are often injured just as badly as the victims, frequently as a result of trying to escape from the police. When a crime occurs or someone is injured, police officers are the first to respond to the scene. In our Violence Prevention Institute program, officers tell students about their real-life experiences responding to violent crime scenes.

The Violence Prevention Institute has a proven method for reducing the incidents of gang and gun related violence. Youth participants have first-hand knowledge to understand that there are significant consequences to violent behavior and the alternatives available to them as they live their lives.

Parent Alert ~ Signs of Gang Involvement

Observe your child’s behavior

Uses hand signs
Interest in specific colors
Wears excessive jewelry
Behavior changes—decline in academics, school attendance, defiant and staying out late
Unexplained money or goods
Unexplained physical injuries
Evidence of alcohol & drugs
Withdraws from family
An unusual secrecy or desire for privacy

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Cops & Docs Program Teaches Youth the Consequences

The “Cops & Docs” program explores the myths and realities of weapons that have been devastating our local neighborhoods. The program shows a more realistic view of gun injuries, illegal actions as defined by the legal system and the resulting consequences; with an emphasis on firearms in the hands of minors. A team consisting of a Board Certified Emergency Physician, a police officer and a victim of violence use a medical and visual slide presentation to discuss the legal and medical consequences of gun possession and use. The presentation includes actual medical slides, examples of historical and present day realities regarding the dangers of violence, guns and gang involvement in our communities.

The medical segment of the program addresses the very real physical and emotional effects of knife and gun injuries on the victim and the victim’s family. The program includes a script and an accompanying Power-Point presentation of gunshot wounds, stab wounds, and paralysis as a result of violent crime. In addition, victims who are affected for life (i.e. someone permanently disabled or paralyzed as a result of a gun related injury, discusses his/her experiences, the pain, and life changing effect it has had on their life and the emotional aftermath for them, their family and friends.

The legal portion of the program builds on the issue of reality versus perception. Many aspects of the legal code are defined, and the consequences of breaking the law are presented.

Also, the program trains students on understanding alternatives for self-protection that are safer than firearms. This discussion is centered on the reality of arrest and felony conviction including loss of freedom and choice. Students also learn about resources that are available for conflict or crisis situations.

RESULTS of the COPS & DOCS Program:

Participants were 12% less likely to join a gang and participants were 14% more likely to strongly disagree with the statement, “I think it’s cool to be in a gang.”

Participants were 22% more likely to believe that it is dangerous to join a gang and that one would end up hurt or killed if he or she belonged to a gang.

Participants were 4.5% less likely to get into a physical fight.

Participants were 10.8% less likely to carry a gun.

Participants were 6% less likely to injure someone else in a fight.

Participants were 33% less likely to carry a weapon such as a gun, knife, or club.

Participants were 23% less likely to carry a gun.

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Thursday, November 15th ~ 6 PM to 10 PM

   A Red Carpet Affair Hosted By:

          Freddie Jackson ~ Grammy Nominee and R&B Singer
          Reg Wells ~ Former A nchor ~ MY9 News
          Gus Williams ~ Former NBA Champion & All-Star Player
          Dr. Sampson Davis ~ The Three Doctors Foundation & Award-winning Author
          Dr. Duane Dyson & Dr. Dane Clarke

at the home of
Dr. Dane Clarke & Mrs. Kecia M. Clarke, Esq.
33 Cunningham Drive, West Orange, NJ

Live Entertainment	VPI Martini Toast	Cocktails
Hors d'oeuvres	Dessert table class="vp"	Meet & Greets with Hosts

$200 per person
Contributions are tax-deductible
Use your corporate matching gift program
Additional Sponsors welcome!

For more information call 973-395-0311

Please send payment to
Violence Prevention Institute
60 Evergreen Place, Suite 301
East Orange , NJ 07018

Thanks to our event sponsors

East Orange General Hospital

Fall Prevention and Rehabilitation, LLP

Chelsea Hospital Physicians, PA,

Bayview Emergency Associates

Middlesex Hospital Physicians

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Freddie Jackson & Celebrities To Support VPI's Annual Fundraiser

Grammy nominee and R&B singer Freddie Jackson will host the Violence Prevention Institute’s 2 nd Annual “Challenge To Save Lives” fundraising event.

“I am more than happy to support this event. We need organizations like VPI that help save our children from violence and gangs. It’s a real problem and I’m here to help” says Freddie Jackson.

Freddie Jackson, along with Reg Wells former Anchor for MY9 News, Gus Williams, Former NBA Champion and All-Star Player, Dr. Sampson Davis, Co-Founder of The Three Doctors Foundation and award winning author, and other special guests are set to meet and greet guests at the fundraiser.

“This is an exciting year for us as we transition into serving more families and communities in New Jersey,” states VPI CEO, Dr. Duane Dyson. “We must expand to meet the growing demand for VPI programs that address gun and gang-related violence. Gang and gun violence is a growing public health crisis and the Violence Prevention Institute is here to meet the challenge” says Dr. Dyson. On Thursday, November 15, 2007, from 6 to 10 PM, the “Red Carpet” fundraiser will gather concerned citizens, and corporate and community leaders to support its programs. The Platinum Sponsor is East Orange General Hospital and Gold Sponsors include Fall Prevention and Rehabilitation, LLP, Chelsea Hospital Physicians, PA, Bayview Emergency Associates and Middlesex Hospital Physicians. Additional sponsors are welcome by calling 973-395-0311.

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Dr. Sampson Davis of The Three Doctors Foundation and a VPI Presenter, releases new book “The Bond”

The ThreeDoctors from Newark released their new book addressing fatherless issues called The Bond.

In The Bond, The Three Doctors examine their own tough childhoods to explore the national epidemic of fatherlessness.

But rather than cling to any bitterness or pain they may have felt as children about their fathers’ inability to be in their lives, as adults Davis, Jenkins, and Hunt sought out their fathers and worked to reconnect with them. In the doctor’s own words, and their fathers, they describe the crucial lessons they learned, identify ways to stem the tide of fatherless-ness that’s sweep through communities across the country.

Honest, brave and poignant, The Bond is a book for every family, every father and every man.

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VIOLENCE PREVENTION INSTITUTE, Inc.

a 501(c)(3) Tax Exempt Corporation