Youth Initiatives
Working Against Violence, Inc. believes strongly in the power of youth voice and youth action to create a safer community.
WAVI adult mentors empower youth in the creation of youth-led initiatives and stands alongside them through their work providing logistical, educational, and emotional support.
We believe in the power of youth to create a safer community. Youth are encouraged to lead initiatives, and WAVI provides adult mentors to work alongside them and provide support and encouragement.
Get involved!
WAVI welcomes youth who are passionate about creating solutions to the challenges they face. We can help you use your strengths and interests to improve our community and world.
Interested in getting involved or creating your own project? Contact Ashley or Kristin!
“As an adult mentor, one of my favorite things is seeing youth blossom into leaders. I am continually inspired by their creativity, swift action, passion, and resilience.”
– Ashley Wasserburger, Education Director
Local Initiatives
Youth and Family Services Connect Program
The Youth and Family Services Connect Program provides intervention for youth ages 11-24 affected by sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sex trafficking. We offer school support, case management, mentorship, crisis counseling referrals, and more. Our goal is to reduce the trauma’s effects on youth and empower them to become informed community leaders and peer mentors.
Contact: 605-791-5025
Rapid City Youth Task Force and Youth Action Board
The Youth Task Force, a spin-off of the Black Hills Regional Housing Stability Coalition, brings together adult and youth voices with an intersectional approach to address the runaway and homeless youth crisis. Involved in National Runaway Prevention Month (NRPM) in November, the task force educates and creates solutions for issues these youth face. The Youth Action Board, a youth-led group with members who have lived experience of being unhoused, advocates for positive change in housing challenges. Their efforts have led to the creation of a youth drop-in center, young adult transitional housing, and youth outreach programs. Their vision is, “Change starts somewhere, why not here.”
Contact Kristin Kiner for more information:
605-310-4400.
Student Voice Forum
Students may share opinions and influence positive change in the school district by participating in this forum.
The RCAS Superintendent and middle/high school students have a conversation bimonthly about issues the district is facing.
Take ACTion
Take ACTion is a youth-led community engagement theatre group for youth to write, perform, and present short films. Through these short films they “Stand Up and Speak Out” on important topics they can relate to. Take ACTion is a collaborative project of RCAS, WAVI, and YFS.
Contact Kristin Kiner for more information:
605-310-4400.
Youth City Council
The Youth City Council creates a channel for open communication between Common Council
members and youth in our community, and gives young people an opportunity to gain an understanding of the processes and departments of the City of Rapid City.
Contact Kristin Kiner for more information:
605-310-4400.
Pennington County Teen Court Program
Teen Court, a collaborative effort between the Pennington County State’s Attorney, the 7th Judicial Circuit Court, and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, offers juvenile offenders ages 12-17 an alternative to the formal justice system. In Teen Court, peer juries determine constructive dispositions based on cases presented by teen volunteer attorneys. This program provides a second chance for youth with little or no prior criminal history, aiming to keep them out of the criminal court system. Successful completion prevents formal charges from being filed.
Contact Felicia Sauceman for more information:
605-394-2191.
Resources
Teen Handbook:
This is your go-to guide with lots of information on types of violence, mental health, healthy relationships, and positive bystander intervention.