Spring 2024 Newsletter

NEW MVP Youth Advisory Council

PATCVP established the MVP Youth Advisory Council (MVP-YAC) this semester. MVP-YAC is a nomination-based council and the inaugural group had representatives from seven urban and rural MVP schools across Iowa. The purpose of MVP-YAC is to improve the MVP model through direct student voice. MVP-YAC members will influence and plan statewide MVP events, assist with curriculum adaptations and suggest topical areas, provide outreach and engagement with other MVP schools through social media and other outlets, and spread awareness about the MVP program.
 

MVP Training of Trainers

In January PATCVP hosted a virtual MVP training of trainers for Central College, Ankeny Southview, and William Penn University. Three newly trained staff from Crisis Intervention Services assisted. 

PATCVP assisted Cedar Rapids Washington High School (CRWHS) in February with onboarding their new MVP student mentors and Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson High School (CBTJ) in April. CRWHS will be implementing MVP starting in the fall of 2024 with their new team and CBTJ will be on year two of MVP implementation.

UNI MVP Service-Learning Project

A UNI course in the Art Department participated in a service learning project for the MVP program. Students in this class went through an MVP workshop in February with the goal of creating zines and PSA videos about the bystander model and topical issues related to race and gender. The zines and videos were uploaded on the MVP YouTube channel and used for trainings to MVP mentors.
 

NEW MVP State Partnership

PATCVP established a new partnership with Hope Shores Alliance in Alpena, Michigan and the Michigan Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (MCESDV) with the MVP Strategies program. The PATCVP directors facilitated an MVP training of trainers in April to Hope Shores Alliance staff, prevention staff at MCESDV and local Alpena High School staff. We are excited to continue our support to our Michigan partners moving forward!
 

MVP Student Leadership Summit

PATCVP hosted a regional MVP Student Leadership Summit on May 2nd in Cedar Rapids with two Cedar Rapids schools. Over 45 MVP mentors gathered to learn from experts in the field on various topics including dating violence, mental health, transphobia, facilitation skill development, team building and more! Students could contribute to a positive affirmations' art project in support of the MVP students at Perry High School and meet local community service agencies. A special thank you to Waypoint Services, Your Life Iowa, Stand Up for Peace (Foundations 2 Crisis Services) for hosting informational tables.

This is Where I Learned Not to Sleep Film Screening

Our center had the opportunity to screen a new documentary from executive producer and longtime supporter of our center, Cindy Waitt. The film, This Is Where I Learned Not To Sleep, explores the complex relationship between childhood exposure to family violence, policing, and efforts to break the cycle of violence. The film follows retired Nashville Lieutenant Mark Wynn as he revisits his haunting childhood through his work to reform police response to family violence. Lt. Wynn started the first domestic violence unit in the Nashville Police Department and the film presents his quest for justice and journey towards healing while providing effective strategies for police response to family violence.

The event was hosted at Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center in March and included a community resource fair, film screening and panel discussion. Panelists included the film director, Kirsten Kelly and film subject, Lt. Mark Wynn, along with domestic violence service providers from the Cedar Valley, Nelly Hill from Waypoint Services, Mike Schreck from the Department of Corrections, and Stacy Hesse from the Waterloo Police Department.
 

Stand Up Guy Campaign

The Cedar Valley Victim Resource Coalition created an awareness campaign committee in which members, including the PATCVP directors, are working on a healthy masculinity project, Stand Up Guy (SUG). SUG is a prevention/awareness campaign modeled after the successful campaign in Scotland-UK, Don’t Be That Guy, inviting boys and men to reflect on their language and behavior associated with women and girls and to confront behaviors that can lead to sexual and domestic assault and intimate partner abuse. 

The Stand Up Guy campaign will utilize PSA’s as well as relevant educational materials that will be shown to male-identifying groups to promote reflection, review, discussion, and appropriate action steps. The campaign will feature a landing page hosted by PATCVP’s “Community in Motion” initiative. The page will be home to resources, PSA’s, awareness/education materials, and more. Social media pages will complement the landing page and serve as a platform for ongoing, male-led discussion.