SOURCE: Church of Scientology

February 07, 2008 19:47 ET

A Youthful Solution for Reducing Gang Violence: Promoting Reconciliation Through Youth for Human Rights

SANTA BARBARA, CA--(Marketwire - February 7, 2008) - With gang violence escalating on the central coast, community members and government leaders are working diligently to find solutions to address the rising rates of fighting, brutality, and turmoil. The Santa Barbara Police Department has identified over 700 gang members in the city of Santa Barbara alone with gang-related violence on the rise. The Church of Scientology Santa Barbara has joined together with community leaders to address this critical issue through the secular Youth for Human Rights International program, promoting the youth's rights to create bridges of understanding and resolution.

The purpose of Youth for Human Rights International is to teach youth about human rights, specifically the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and inspire them to become valuable advocates for tolerance and peace.Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) is an independent non-profit corporation headquartered in Los Angeles, with the purpose to educate people in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights so they become valuable advocates for tolerance and peace.

"We are dedicated to helping improve unity amongst the youth of the Santa Barbara community," states Lee Holzinger, President of the Church of Scientology Santa Barbara. "The escalating rate of gang violence in our community needs to be addressed and we are glad to be joining with our community members to provide a workable solution."

YHRI holds events and produces instructional tools to raise human rights awareness such as the award-winning music video UNITED -- a street-savvy, multi-ethnic, five-minute film in 15 languages -- conveying the power of human rights awareness.

"A key component of addressing violence is through raising understanding and respect for the other person," explains Holzinger. "We feel that it is critical to provide the youth of Santa Barbara with support and awareness of their human rights to ensure that they can be effective leaders of tomorrow...without violence."

YHRI has additionally released a series of 30 audiovisual public service announcements, one for each article of the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights which will be integrated into the program. The first of these messages, released in late 2005, have been screened to more than 130 million people. YHRI also publishes the UNITED Human Rights Handbook, providing educators and leaders with a practical tool with which to teach human rights to the young.

YHRI works with human rights advocates, legislators, teachers, police and humanitarians to encourage young people to learn and champion human rights. There are many opportunities for you to support this vital campaign to educate youth about Human Rights.

Youth for Human Rights materials and information are available at the Church of Scientology Santa Barbara or can be downloaded from www.youthforhumanrights.org.

For further information, contact Lee Holzinger at 805-963-8931.