INTERVENTION focuses on working directly with street gangs. By using music lessons as a tool, Join Bands, Not Gangs approaches and then offers rival street gangs the opportunity to participate in music lessons, thereby creating an opportunity to build friendships with the local gangsters. By using this approach to peace, we believe, over time, we can create a common denominator between rivals, in that they all participate in music. Counseling services by qualified counselors are also sometimes offered as part of our lessons package, so that facilitated group discussions form part of lesson time.
We, therefore “intervene” in the current gang situation, in a respectful and positive, relationship-focused manner, encouraging changed attitudes over the long run.
