Brockton Recognized Nationally for Innovative Youth Violence Prevention Efforts

The City of Brockton was recognized at the 2026 “Do the Write Thing” National Recognition Summit in Washington, D.C. in July, for its innovative, student-centered approach to youth violence prevention. Brockton Public Schools student Jayden Sanchez represented the City of Champions at the event which brought together middle school students from across the country to share how youth violence has impacted their lives and ideas for preventing it.

Do the Write Thing (DtWT) is a unique educational program designed to give middle school students an outlet to communicate in classroom discussions and written form about how violence impacts their daily lives. Partnering with communities across the United States, DtWT provides a space for youth to share their stories, experiences, and ideas, with the aim of exposing the causes and effects of violence and, in turn, reducing violence in their communities. Since its launch in 1994 by the Kuwait-America Foundation (KAF), Do the Write Thing has engaged more than 3.4 million middle school students nationwide.

Every year, the organization hosts a writing initiative for students to share their experiences with youth violence. Based on his or her essay, one student ambassador from each community is chosen to attend the National Recognition Summit in Washington, D.C. Brockton’s 2026 ambassador was rising Brockton High School ninth grader, Jayden Sanchez. Jayden’s essay, written while in eighth-grade at South Middle School, was presented at the Library of Congress. During the Summit, Jayden participated in leadership development programs, visits to the Supreme Court and Capitol Hill, and a national recognition dinner alongside student ambassadors from across the country. He also was a guest at the residence of the Kuwait Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Sheikha Al-Zain Al-Sabah.

Jayden’s key takeaway from the Do the Write Thing experience is that “one of the most important things people can do it learn how to handle conflict in a peaceful way.”

Brockton Utilizes Student Voices in Violence Reduction Strategies

Dr. Eliza Wilson, the City of Brockton’s Director of Economic Development who also attended the Summit, has been involved with Do the Write Thing Brockton for 20 years. Over the past three years, she has transformed the initiative from a student writing program into a citywide violence prevention strategy that connects education, student voices, youth leadership, workforce development, and public policy.

Brockton Public Schools is the first district in Massachusetts to integrate Do the Write Thing into its middle school civics curriculum, giving every middle school student the opportunity to reflect on the causes of violence while helping inform the City’s prevention strategies. Student essays have identified mentoring, mental health, youth employment, conflict resolution, and community investment as key priorities for reducing violence.

Brockton’s model weaves these tenets into its neighborhood safety policy and demonstrates how investing in education, leadership opportunities, and youth engagement can help build safer neighborhoods while positioning the City as a national leader in community safety. This summer’s youth employment program is an example of putting these ideas to work.

The City of Brockton proudly congratulates Jayden Sanchez on being selected as an ambassador for the 2026 National Recognition Summit. His achievement reflects the leadership, character, and commitment of Brockton’s young people. The City also extends its sincere gratitude to Dr. Eliza Wilson for bringing the Do the Write Thing program to Brockton Public Schools and for using the powerful insights gained through the program to help ensure that students’ voices inform public policy and contribute to building safer, stronger communities. Finally, we express our appreciation to the Kuwait-America Foundation for spearheading and funding this important initiative and providing young people with a meaningful platform to share their experiences, inspire dialogue, and help build safer communities.

All Summit expenses were paid for by the Kuwait-America Foundation.

Brockton City Hall
45 School Street
Brockton, MA 02301
508-580-7123

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