Alex Mason :
A moment of awareness can prevent a lifetime of regret—a message that resonated throughout a recent Youth Safety & Situational Awareness Workshop in Queens, where local teenagers gathered to learn practical skills for staying safe, managing conflict, and making informed decisions in challenging situations.
The workshop was organized by Save The People USA (STPUSA), Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP), and The Interfaith Center of New York, bringing together students, parents, community leaders, and advocates for an afternoon focused on education, prevention, and empowerment. Designed for high school youth ages 14 to 18, the program emphasized the importance of developing awareness, resilience, and confidence in an increasingly complex world.
Held at 87-41 165th Street, Queens, NY 11432, the workshop followed a structured agenda that combined presentations, group discussions, practical exercises, and reflection activities. Participants explored the meaning of safety beyond physical protection, discussing emotional, digital, and community safety as well. One session focused on understanding stress and survivor responses, including the concepts of fight, flight, freeze, and fawn, helping students better recognize how people react under pressure.
The educational sessions were led primarily by Melvin Sharty of Nonviolent Peaceforce, who guided participants through discussions on situational awareness and the OODA Loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act), a decision-making framework used to improve awareness and response in challenging situations. Students also participated in creative reflection exercises and a gallery walk exploring the question, “What does safety mean to us?”
A key component of the workshop focused on building personal support systems. During the Safety Pod Mapping activity, participants identified trusted individuals at home, school, and within the community whom they could rely on during difficult situations. Students then applied what they had learned through scenario-based exercises and small-group discussions designed to strengthen safety planning skills and encourage nonviolent responses to conflict.
The event also featured remarks from several community leaders. Saif Alam, President of the Jamaica Hills Association, spoke about the importance of community engagement and preparing young people to navigate challenges with confidence and responsibility. Melvin Sharty emphasized the role of awareness, prevention, and relationship-building in creating safer communities.
Imam Muhammad Shahidullah, CEO of Save The People USA, encouraged participants to view safety as both a personal and collective responsibility. He stressed that awareness, preparation, and community support are essential tools for preventing harm and empowering young people to become leaders within their schools and neighborhoods.
By the conclusion of the workshop, participants had gained practical tools for recognizing risks, managing stress, responding to conflict nonviolently, and building stronger support networks. Organizers said the program reflected a shared commitment to equipping young people with the knowledge and confidence needed to make safer decisions and contribute positively to their communities.
The workshop’s guiding message remained clear throughout the day: Be Aware. Be Prepared. Be Empowered.
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