Mission

At Council Against Youth Violence (CAYV), we’re dedicated to advancing the safety of our communities and empowering survivors of community violence. Our goal is to help young people recover in order to resume normal healthy lives and work toward more productive futures.

Overview

Established in 2019 with funding from the U.S. Department of Justice, the Council Against Youth Violence (CAYV) addresses violence and victimization among youth in the greater Trenton area. Led by PEI Kids, the regional experts in violence intervention, CAYV uses a multi­disciplinary team response model. Together, with our program partners, we deliver targeted victims’ services to youth impacted by community violence — specifically, victims, witnesses, or kids who have lost a loved one to violence.

Certified Program Partners

Our Certified Program Partners are vetted, trusted, community-based organizations who provide services based in evidence, research and practice. Through CAYV, Program Partners meet monthly to prioritize client referrals and streamline services ensuring that client needs are met with care and integrity. Certified Program Partners include:

  • PEI Kids (Lead Agency)
  • Anchor House
  • Capital Health Regional Medical Center
  • Capital County Children’s Collaborative/Care Management Organization
  • Catholic Charities
  • Mercer County Family Support Organization
  • ISLES Youth Institute
  • Mercer Council on Alcoholism & Drug Addiction
DOWNLOAD THE CAYV BROCHURE

Youth Services

CAYV does not charge for the services provided. They are designed to ensure safety and help victims recover from trauma, grief, and loss — and to reduce the risk of retaliation and/or re-victimization.
We offer the following services* to eligible kids, ages 9–18, impacted by community violence:

  • Mental health counseling
  • Anger management
  • Safety planning
  • Emergency shelter
  • GED/High-school equivalency training/testing
  • Academic assistance
  • Job skills and life skills training
  • Mentoring
  • Family support services
  • Case management
  • Victim compensation assistance
  • Crisis counseling for victims of sexual abuse
  • Specialized services for youth with disabilities or complex needs
  • Drug and alcohol assessment, counseling, and recovery support

We accept client referrals through a large network of community partners and organizations, as well as from families, concerned community members, healthcare professionals, justice-system personnel, youth-serving professionals, schools/educators, and faith-based groups.

* Services are subject to change without notice based on the capacity of program partners & other factors. We encourage those in need to contact our office for program information.

Non-Discrimination

At PEI Kids, we support all eligible young people, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, immigration status, disability, religion or lack of religion. We have an accessible office, and our bilingual staff provides services in English and Spanish.

Community Training

Our leadership team, which has deep community experience and subject-matter expertise, provides training workshops for adults and older teens. Most programs run 60 to 90 minutes and are geared to the needs of specific audiences: parent groups, youth-serving professionals, educators, youth leaders, medical/health professionals, and various other groups. We also offer customized training on specific subject areas like personal safety, youth-violence culture, trauma and mental health, local crime/gang-activity, and effective intervention strategies. Get in touch with us today to discuss your group’s training needs.

Workshop Topics Include:

  • Alternatives to violence: managing aggression and violence (for youth/teens)
  • Realities and misconceptions of youth-violence culture: gangs and gang activity
  • Community safety: strategies for decreasing youth violence
  • Positive peer relationships and other protective factors
  • Impact of trauma on youth development
  • Community resources for youth and parents
  • Coordinated services for survivors of violence
  • Restorative justice and youth
  • Keeping staff safe: strategies for educators, coaches, street teams and other youth-serving professionals
  • Living within the law: importance of laws, rules and authority (for youth/teens)