Do the Write Thing (DtWT)

A unique education program designed to give middle school students an outlet to communicate in classroom discussions and written form how violence impacts their daily lives. DtWT aims to expose the causes and effects of violence and empower young people to reduce violence in their communities.

Program Type: Youth education and community engagement initiative; part of the National Campaign to Stop Violence (NCSV)

Founded: 1994 by the Kuwait-America Foundation

Geographic Scope: United States (all across America)

Target Audience: Middle school students (grades 6-8)

Why Middle School Students:

• Old enough to have experiences shaping their lives
• Not too old to be stuck in detrimental patterns
• Have mental acuity to process events in their world and at large
• Making subtle choices that can impact their lives
• Vulnerable age when becoming teenagers—opportunity to connect and empower good choices

Core Components:

• Writing Prompts: Students reflect on three questions:
  • What are the causes of youth violence?
  • How has violence affected your life?
  • What can you do to reduce youth violence?
• Classroom Discussions: Builds bridges of communication between educators and students, often provoking conversations that may otherwise never occur
• National Recognition Week: Two National Student Ambassadors from each participating community selected to represent their peers in Washington, D.C.
• Published Work: Writings compiled into a book presented to the Library of Congress in a special ceremony

Why Writing:

• Often first time students express themselves about violence impacts
• Cathartic and therapeutic experience
• Allows students to take personal, sometimes painful experiences and move forward
• Amplifies student voices and insights
• Directly related to student experiences (not abstract or academic)
• Everyone has a story to tell

Impact:

• Nearly 2 million students estimated to have participated since inception
• More than 1.2 million students have submitted writings and made personal commitments not to engage in violence
• Their words have motivated thousands of adults across the country to volunteer their services

Core Mission: Engage middle school students committed to alleviating violence from their communities by facilitating meaningful and impactful action.

Curriculum Alignment: Activities are aligned with the common core to enhance content curriculum

Organization: NCSV is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan organization composed of community, business, and governmental leaders

How to Participate in Do the Write Thing

For Students:

• Join your school's DtWT program at the beginning of an academic year
• Participate in educator-facilitated discussions and introspection activities about violence in communities
• Reflect on and respond to three writing prompts:
  • What are the causes of youth violence?
  • How has violence affected your life?
  • What can you do to reduce youth violence?
• Submit written responses
• Make a personal written commitment not to engage in violence
• Optionally apply to become a National Student Ambassador

For Educators:

• Facilitate DtWT discussions and activities with middle school students at the beginning of an academic year
• Use NCSV-sponsored discussion and introspection activities
• Align activities with common core standards to enhance content curriculum
• Encourage student participation and written submissions
• Nominate outstanding students as National Student Ambassadors

National Student Ambassador Selection:

• Two students from each participating DtWT community selected as National Student Ambassadors
• Selected students represent themselves and their peers
• Ambassadors travel to Washington, D.C. with a guardian and their educator for National Recognition Week
• Ambassadors speak out and share their voices

Getting Started:

• Contact DtWT through kuwaitamerica.org or www.dtwt.org for program information and resources
• Join and become part of a community of 1.2+ million students pledged to end youth violence

Materials Needed:

• Writing supplies (can utilize or recycle supplies already at home; alternative options provided)