Youth street violence prevention project in Jyväskylä increases youth work on the streets and in residential areas

The project targets young people who spend time on the streets and are at risk of violence and crime.

- Street youth work is used to reach and identify young people belonging to the risk group. We work with them using youth work methods to reduce the risk and are present in a preventive manner during their free time, say project workers Janne Matilainen and Pia Santa from the main implementing organisation, The City of Jyväskylä Youth Services. The project's co-implementers are The Evangelical Lutheran Paris of Jyväskylä and the Helsinki Deaconess Foundation Vamos Jyväskylä.

The need for the project originates from negative issues among young people

The need for the project stems from local and national issues among young people. In Jyväskylä, there has been an increase in disruptive behavior and street violence among young people. There is unrest, particularly in suburbs and public spaces, which requires a rapid and immediate response.  Feelings of exclusion and insecurity can lead to violent behavior if young people cannot find other ways to belong. Harmful behavior patterns and violent content spread through social media can influence young people's behavior.

The project receives state subsidies from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health's health promotion budget.