News & Events
Articles
WEEK TV 25 News - November 13, 2024
Don’t Start is partnering with the mentoring group Stepping Forward Together to strengthen our ability to get our message of prevention out to as many youth as possible; interview on WEEK TV lead story on 6:00 news:
https://www.25newsnow.com/video/2024/11/14/two-peoria-groups-come-together-fight-youth-violence
WCBU 89.9FM - December 2021
Peoria Journal Star - October 2019
Peoria City Council Meeting - January 2019
Peoria InterBusiness Issues - November 2017
The Don’t Start Initiative World-wide impact Tribute Video.
Upcoming Events
We have returned to our local schools to share our important message with our youth. Please contact us if you would like us to come to your school, youth program or agency so we can continue to reach as many of our young people as possible.
We will be planning Don’t Start at the Park III, another basketball event.
City Kids Camp Week 3-4 Live performances by War and Joe. Special Guest RJ from PVO performs live.
This video was presented to Peoria District 150 students in the midst of the 2020 covid-19 lockdown to remind them to DON’T START destructive behaviors during the pandemic and to stay positive and be constructive in their thinking and activities. It includes special messages from Peoria Public School Superintendent Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat, Peoria County Sheriff Brian Asbell, retired judge Glenn Collier, and Peoria Police Chief Loren Marion.
Additional Videos
WTVP State & Water - S05 E03: Warith and M.C. | Part 1 (Don’t Start begins at the 8 min. mark) - April 2021
Peoria City Council Presentation - January 2019
Interview with St Louis Filmaker’s Showcase 2021. Don’t Start and attached discussion of our message was accepted at the film festival.
War and Joe takes the Don’t Start Initiative to Lewiston IL for a 4 week City Kids Camp. Hosted By Hector Corona and his wonderful staff
Events
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world.
Don’t Start at the Park III
July 9, 2022.
The Don’t Start Initiative and the Peoria Police department held Don’t Start at the Park III. We paired City and School District Police and Firemen with young people from the community on the same teams, participating in free throw and 3 point shooting. We built trust and understanding between the 2 groups. They had a better feeling about each other that will hopefully carry over when interactions occur between police and young people. We also performed Don’t Start and War performed 5 of his positive message songs. We had door prizes for all the kids, including 2 bicycles. Everyone left with a positive feeling. Most of the officers stayed til the end of the event.
Don’t Start at the Park II
September 26, 2019
The Don’t Start Initiative, Carver Center and the Peoria Police Department sponsored a collaborative event Don’t Start in the Park II: United We Stand. The event was held on Saturday September 26, 2020, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Carver Center. This event paired a police officer with community members to form a team that competed with other teams in friendly competition. Officers from the Peoria Police Department, Peoria Public Schools and the Peoria Park District were represented. Competitive activities included 3-point shooting, free throw shooting and bags games. Prizes were awarded to winning teams. Many community leaders and businesses stepped up to offer support.
Don’t Start at the Park I
July 20, 2019
The Don’t Start Initiative, Both Worlds Productions and A Sharp Effect Salon sponsored the first annual Don’t Start at the Park I family fun festival on Saturday July 20, 2019 at Glen Oak Park Amphitheater from 1 to 11 p.m. Bounce house, face painter, fire, police and ambulance vehicles were present for the kids to enjoy, along with several business mascots. Music headliners included the PFMB Ensemble, Architeq and Gee Reed along with Akademia winners War Muhammad and Dr. Joe Couri and international recording artist Tightest Whitest. All music was positive and message based. There were motivational speakers also.
