Westside Community Center

Peaceful Warriors

The Westside Community Center's Peaceful Warriors Program is an anti-bullying, anti-violence initiative now in its fourth year. The program provides anger management and crisis resolution education for 5th graders at four local elementary schools and monthly Peaceful Pizza Parties for students of all ages at the Center.

Program components include group discussion, non-aggressive self-defense instruction, strength and fitness exercises, mindfulness meditation and Golden Rule-based guidance.

Center staff and volunteers currently work with almost 200 youth. Our goal is to provide this service for all interested area schools.

Senior Citizens Center & Events

Click on the Facebook link for more updates!

We're in the news! It's true: Tulsa's KJSH Channel 2 News Meteorologist Dan Threlkeld filmed a special piece on our Peaceful Warriors program: http://www.kjrh.com/dpp/news/state/bartlesville-schools-fight-bullying

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Upcoming: Our next Peaceful Peaceful Pizza party will be hosted by the Westside Community Center in April at the Center, 501 S. Bucy. Students who are interested in participating and adult volunteers can get more information by calling 336-6760.

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Center’s Peaceful Warriors Target Cyber Bullying: WCC Provides "Alternative to Mean"

by Morris McCorvey

The Westside Community Center’s anger management/crisis resolution program, Peaceful Warriors, is focusing on the latest threat to peace and friendship among young people that’s recently captured the attention of the national media — cyber bullying.

Recent incidents resulting in youth suicide have increased nationwide awareness of the way 21st century bullies are using e-mail, texting and social networking to perpetuate the age-old disease of victimizing others in schools and communities.

The Center’s peace-making trainers have been working with local students for five years now and are well prepared to help head off the dangerous trend before it infects Bartlesville youth. Providing a regimen of group discussion, role-playing, consciousness meditation, and physical training — including non-combative self defense — Peaceful Warrior leaders create a safe space and forum for the majority of students who simply wish to get their education and enjoy safe recreation.

“We have now helped to provide an honorable alternative to mean and violently aggressive behavior among young people for over 100 fifth graders,” says Center Director Morris McCorvey. “Our Program Coordinator Stephen Walden, Professional Strongman Brad Johnson and other volunteers have helped those students develop a foundation of strength and faith, grounded in the Golden Rule, that will empower them to resist the urge to mistreat their peers, as well as support one another in opposing that tendency in others. We are working to include students of all ages in this effort.”

In addition to visiting a few local schools to offer the program, the Center hosts monthly Peaceful Pizza Parties at which students get to develop extra-curricular friendships with their peers from other schools. In addition to sharing pizza and other refreshments, Wii games, group dialogue, instructional activities and media presentations are the featured activities of the monthly parties.

The Westside Center now provides an online forum as well as information and references to resources specifically developed to oppose cyberbullying.

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Peaceful Pizza Parties are held on the last Saturday of every month from 11 am - 1 pm at the Westside Community Center.

Links & Resources

It's My Life http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/friends/friendsfight

/index.html

A cool, interactive site for kids.

Kids Against Bullying http://www.pacerkidsagainstbullying.org/

A site by and for kids.

Kid Activities http://www.kidactivities.net/post/Conflict-

Resolution-and-Anti-Bully-Book-Themes.aspx

Books and resources for kids and adults on conflict resolution and with anti-bullying themes.

Stop Bullying Now! http://stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/kids/

Bullying information, resources and prevention tips from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

B-Free http://www.b-free.ca/links.html

An excellent site developed in cooperation with a group of Alberta, Canada, kids who “believe that we can all make a difference. Sometimes in big ways. Sometimes in small ones.” Includes information, quizzes, activities and resources.

Bully Free Program www.bullyfree.com

Purpose of the site is "to promote a sense of belonging and acceptance of all individuals and to promote the Golden Rule through materials, workshops, presentations and Web resources."

Understanding & Raising Girls http://www.pbs.org/parents/raisinggirls

/index.html

The PBS Parents Guide to Raising Girls is filled with articles and resources on girls, their friendships, how they're wired ... tools to help girls grow up powerful, self-confident, and self-aware.

Articles

Seven Things Kids Need to Know About Bullying

Elementary School: When Friendship Hurts

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