Riverside High School students in Milwaukee, Wisconsin are participating in a mediation program designed to prevent them from resorting to physical violence when they are involved in an altercation.  The escalating violence in the community in recent years has everyone concerned and area high school are not immune.  The program is student led and is part of a citywide initiative to address the problem.

The program is run by students who volunteer to participate.  One of the students, Tyjohnna Gardner, chose to participate because of her experience being bullied by her peers.  She is one of 15 students who serve in the program.  According to Gardner, "I do not want anyone else to feel that way.  They should have a safe space to come to. ”

Students can be referred to the program by their peers or by teachers.  During a session, they wit with peer mediators in a confidential and safe environment and discuss the issue and how it can be resolved.  Gardner points out that these conversations often reveal there has been some kind of misunderstanding, which diffuses the potential for violence.

Over the course of a single month, the peer mediators have mediated seven cases.  According to a faculty advisor at the school, since the program began there have been no suspensions or fights.  She believes the program works so well because it is peer-run and students are more willing to listen to their peers, as opposed to adults. 

The program is part of Milwaukee Common Council’s ongoing efforts to reduce violence in the city.  Many believe if problems can be prevented in the schools, it can stop violence from spilling over into the streets – something that is currently a concern with warming temperatures and summer break on the way.