DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - For the last few years, Old King's Orchard has hosted its Project Prevent Violence event over the summer to bring awareness to the impacts of violence on the community. Kids and young adults have the opportunity to learn about several elements of community safety.Â
Participants can explore wrestling as a way to express anger and develop discipline. There will also be a session about safe gun handling.Â
"We know a lot of kids out on the streets, in the neighborhoods, they might come across a weapon in the bushes and might not know exactly what to do with it," said Devon Joyner, Executive Director of Old King's Orchard Community Center. "In the past, we've lost a couple of youth through the town based on finding just rogue weapons and them going off. So we try to prevent that do some type of awareness training."Â
Another session covers how to de-escalate tense situations, especially between teens. The "Know Your Rights" segment covers interactions with police officers and how to respond during a crisis.Â
"It's about how to de-escalate tense situations between you and community members and the police department and what they should and should not do at the time," said Joyner.Â
