The Good Work of SAVE

SAVE Students Network:

The SAVE Students Network (SAVESNet) is a program of Strategies Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE), a Columbus nonprofit agency founded in 1994. SAVE's mission is to empower youth to prevent violence and create healthy lives. SAVESNet is a youth development program with an emphasis on preventing violence. The program originated at Linden McKinley High School in 2000, expanded to South High in 2003, and then to East High in the fall of 2011.

SAVESNet aims to increase the number of positive and protective factors in students' lives, which will empower them to make good decisions for themselves, their education, their peers and their futures. SAVESNet uses the 40 Developmental Assets developed by the Search Institute Inc. to measure program outcomes, and the evidence-based Teen Outreach Program, as two core components, along with mentoring, community service, leadership and positive peer group development. Students meet daily during lunch with a SAVESNet coordinator, who works with them in a group, as well as individually, on developing the skills, attitudes and resilience to achieve their goals despite the challenges they face.

This student is writing on a Peace Week Memorial. Peace Week is planned and implemented by SAVESNet students. An annual leadership development activity took place at all of the SAVESNet schools the week of Dec 12, 2011. Students were invited to remember those who were either injured or killed by violence. The Memorial provides support for students affected by violence and stands as a reminder of the importance of violence prevention.

Impact on students begins with creating trust between the coordinator and students, as well as among the students themselves.

"Students need and deserve to have a fully present adult there in the school every day to guide and support them as they try to navigate some serious challenges. One conversation with an adult they know cares can change the direction of a child’s life. SAVESNet coordinators are there for four years, and sometimes it takes that long to work through the complex and ongoing situations we see our students facing," says SAVE Executive Director, Christine DeChicco, "Expanding the program to more schools is very important to us as an organization."

This past fall, an average of 105 students participated daily, with 180 active students participating in total. Every student in the building is eligible to participate in the program. Between October and December of 2011, students at the three SAVESNet schools planned and implemented Peace Week, mentored middle school students at Johnson Park, volunteered at the Mid-Ohio Food Bank, filled boxes for Faith Mission, assisted the Red Cross in a Blood Drive, attended a TEDX Youth Summit, and viewed a screening of The Interrupters at the Wexner Center. They received more than 70 prevention education lessons and were mentored by the coordinator in more than 90 sessions.

Raven, a student and SAVESNet participant, wishes other students to know that "SAVESNet will give you courage, confidence, and the willingness to have a voice."

Students take part in the evidenced-based Wyman Teen Outreach Program (TOP) Curriculum, used by all SAVESNet schools

The statistics attest to the success of SAVESNet: During the 2010-2011 school year, 241 students at two schools spent more than 8,800 hours in the program and showed an increase in 1,241 protective factors, with an average of 14 factors per student for those who completed the program. Every senior-in-high-school member who completed the program graduated with their class in June  2011.

SAVE’s ability to motivate youth to pursue peace is evident in the words of a SAVESNet student participant, Deion: "Knowing the power of peace gives you the knowledge to change the world."

For more information about SAVESNet, or if you would like to volunteer at SAVE, please email christine_@saveforyouth.org or call 614.228.5400 x1. You can also visit their website at www.saveforyouth.org.