Youth violence subject of lectures

The director of a program in California that helps prevent youth violence will give a series of public talks here March 8, 9 and 12.

Daniel "Nane" Alezandrez is director of Barrios Unidos in Santa Cruz, Calif., an anti-violence youth program that has spread to 25 other California communities and received state, national and international awards.

Alezandrez grew up in migrant labor camps, served in the Vietnam War and was involved in violence and drugs before he turned his life around and founded the program.

A schedule of his talks:

"Youth Violence and Community Responsibility," 7 p.m. March 8 at Church of the Crossroads, on ways Alezandrez’s programs have helped young people turn from violence to more productive avenues.

"Alternatives to Youth Violence," 7 p.m. March 9 at Farrington High School auditorium. More than 600 young people are expected to attend, representing 20 social service agencies and churches.

"Community Strategies for Prevention of Violence Among Youth," noon March 12, University of Hawai‘i School of Social Work, Social Science Building, Room 704 F.

"The Prevention of Youth Violence: Lessons for Hawai‘i from Community Work in California," 4:30 p.m. March 12, UH Richardson School of Law, Classroom 2.

The four lectures are sponsored by Church of the Crossroads and are the first in a series endowed by Kathy Watada Wurfel and David Wurfel. Known as the Umematsu and Yasu Watada Lectures on Peace, Justice and the Environment, the series honors Kathy Watada Wurfel’s parents.

The latter two events are co-sponsored by the School of Social Work, the Sociology department and the Center for the Prevention of Violence Among Asian/Pacific Islander Youth at UH.

For information, call 949-2220.

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