The statistics are undeniable-Children and Youth in this country are both victims of and responsible for more than their share of violence. Youth violence is not somebody else's problem. It affects us all. It affects our future-the youth of America.

There's a lot you can do to help make this a safer world in which to grow up. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

In your community or neighborhood...

*Volunteer or provide resources for youth-serving organizations and extracurricular school activities in your community.

*Become a mentor to a young person through formal programs such Big Brothers/Big Sisters or informally in your neighborhood or another setting you frequent.

*Suggest starting a mentoring and/or youth employment program through your job.

*Advocate for youth support programs in your community.

*Clean up the neighborhood! Involve everyone-teens, children senior citizens. Graffiti, litter, abandoned cars and run-down buildings tell criminals that you don't care about where you live or each other. Call the city public works department and ask for help in cleaning up.

*Develop and share a phone list of local organizations that can provide counseling, job training, guidance and other services that neighbors might need.

*Start a block parent program, by designating adults who will be available to help children who are frightened or in danger.

*Work to set up extended-day programs so that youth have safe places to go and positive things to do outside school hours.

*Encourage school administrators to assess school safety objectively and set goals for improvement.

*Start a Neighborhood Watch with help from local police or sheriff's deputies. Neighbors learn how to report suspicious or criminal activity, how to better secure their homes and how to share information against crime.

• Anyone in the community can join-young and old, single and married, renter and homeowner.

• It only takes a few residents and a little help from local law enforcement to get started.

• Key tasks include recruiting members, keeping up-to-date on new residents and making special efforts to involve the elderly, working parents and young people.

• The Watch can cover any kind of geographic unit-such as a city block, an apartment building, a park, a business area, a public housing complex or an office building.

• Watch groups are not vigilantes. They are extra eyes and ears for reporting crime and helping neighbors.

• Use Neighborhood Watch as a springboard to work together on other community problems-graffiti, vandalism, fighting, safety of children in the area, etc. Remember to help out as well as watch out.

Making Peace

Whether you are at home, at work, at school or at play, people are bound to disagree. Conflict is not necessarily bad, but violence, is not a good way to settle it. Some basic strategies can help you, your family, your friends and your neighbors when conflicts arise:

*Be aware of how you are likely to respond in conflict situations. What kinds of words, gestures or other actions "trigger" angry responses? Knowing what triggers your anger can help you manage your emotions.

*Think about what you need, not what your position (or solution) is. There may be more than one way to meet your needs. You both may have the same need.

*Agree to state facts, not opinions, and to stick to the subject at hand, not to dredge up old arguments.

*Listen actively. Pay careful attention to what the other person is saying.

*Take a step back and work together to brainstorm all the ways that areas of disagreement might be resolved. Discuss the pros, cons and consequences of each idea objectively.

*If conflict persists, or if angry responses have gone too far, think about getting help from a third party. A respected, disinterested person or mediator (a specially trained person who helps those in a disagreement to resolve their differences) can often help bridge the gap.

*Teach young people these basic steps for making peace. Practice them at home; encourage children to use them on the playground, at school or wherever conflict appears.

*To help make peace throughout your community, consider starting or volunteering for a neighborhood or school-based conflict resolution or mediation service. Check on local resources such as mediation services available through family courts, family counselors and Chambers of Commerce, or look under "mediation services" in the yellow pages of your phone book.