Working with Gangs and Young People: A Toolkit for Resolving Group Conflict

Concern about gang culture is on the increase, but remains surrounded by myths. While gangs may lead young people into dangerous situations and breed community division, distrust and fear, the friendship, support, security and sense of belonging they offer are often overlooked by those working with young people involved in gangs.Working with Gangs and Young People demonstrates how young people can be engaged in a creative and challenging process that explores the costs, gains and consequences of the choices they make around their gang membership. It provides a tried-and-tested training programme for anyone involved in conflict resolution with young people in groups or gangs, and offers effective interventions that work.Based on a five-year action research project developed by Leap Confronting Conflict, this practical, fully photocopiable toolkit gives practitioners the materials, support and inspiration needed to engage young people who are involved in gangs. It presents flexible activities and strategies to run either two-hour or one-day workshops, and will be indispensable to anyone involved in working with this under-supported group.

Jessie Feinstein has been working with young people in gangs since 1994. She worked in the US with young people in custody, often due to gang involvement, and subsequently has worked throughout the UK with gang members and the adults that work with them. Nia Imani Kuumba has worked with young people and professionals in the Caribbean, Europe and the US since 1984, and is a senior trainer in conflict resolution. Jessie and Nia have been working on Leap's Gangs and Territorialism Programme since 2001 and continue to set up training programmes for both adults and gang members. These programmes were developed based on the experiences of young gang members throughout the UK and successful interventions in the UK, USA and mainland Europe.Leap Confronting Conflict is a national voluntary youth organisation and registered charity providing opportunities, regionally and nationally, for young people and adults to explore creative approaches to conflicts in their lives.

Alternative names:

• UBC Press Working with Gangs and Young People book Paperback 140 pages