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TOO SMART FOR THE STREETS was produced in 1992.  Our first anti-violence production partnered high school students and police officers in an effort to create a new method of delivering an important message.  The students participated from concept to completion in the development, writing, music composition and performance of this ground-breaking video. They worked along side the professionals throughout the entire production to create an influential message in video form.  It was an instant hit with our at-risk focus groups and was adopted in a citywide initiative to stop violence.  The innovative effort was applauded by the Worcester City Council and the School Committee during a ceremony held at City Hall in 1993 celebrating the students for their effort. 

Later that year the Governor’s Alliance Against Drugs awarded the 1993 DRUG FIGHTER OF THE YEAR to Producer, Police Officer Daniel Rosario; an award he shared with actor Charles Dutton. In 1996 the LIVE IN PEACE project was the next step in the development of our new method of delivery.  With funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Governor’s Alliance Against Drugs and Worcester Fights Back, producers created a broadcast quality music video featuring local talent. Once again youth were involved at every level of production.  We learned that students embraced being part of development of the message and visual elements and as partners in developing the messages they took ownership of the message and this gave the project instant credibility with their media savvy peers.   Virtually indistinguishable in image quality from other music videos, LIP broke new ground and in the fall of 1996 Viacom International and National Amusements, parent companies of Showcase Cinemas hosted the premier of LIVE IN PEACE.  Over 500 members of our community including state and local officials, our student participants, production staff, volunteers and their families attended the event that was covered by regional television station affiliates of ABC and NBC. The LIVE IN PEACE production won two BRONZE TELLY AWARDS, a CABLE ACE AWARD and a CINE GOLDEN EAGLE.  A letter from the Office of the President of the United States was received acknowledging the student effort to curb street violence.    In 1998, Live in Peace released the follow-up compact disc “REALITY.”  This CD was used as a post classroom instruction support product, allowing the student to take the message home.

In 2005, we partnered with the Worcester Public Schools, Worcester Police Department and the Safe Schools Healthy Students Grant to fully execute the AFFECTED program.  Our host and partner, the New England Dream Center, completed the team necessary to effect real change in our at-risk youth population.  By providing unlimited use of a 50,000 square foot facility to our students for production needs and classroom instruction, the NEDC provided a safe and secure learning environment for students during the most critical hours of the day; serving as a production house, a place for students to collaborate, do homework, feel safe, productive and creative.

Since September 2005, affected students and staff have touched the lives of thousands of kids.  Our core group of 60 students produced several high quality public service announcements that air regionally reaching thousands of kids at home through our partnership with Charter Communications. With sponsors like, Best Buys Stores, Mackie/Loud Technologies, Cakewalk Software, Glidecam Industries, Auralex Acoustics Inc, Roland Corporation, MOTU, Redrock Micro, Video CoPilot, Hollywood Camera Works, and many many more, affected has been able to provide professional quality equipment and software for student use.

Today we continue forming new partnerships that will allow us to continue to make our program increasingly accessible to those in need and saving the lives of many at-risk youth.  If you want to help us in our mission please send us an email at affected@charter.net. 

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