BIRMINGHAM, AL — December 15, 2025 — In response to Birmingham's urgent need for youth
violence prevention and social-emotional learning, the Arthur and Eva Brown
Foundation today announced the launch of Civility in Action, a
comprehensive 6-week program designed to equip young people with essential
skills for respectful communication, peaceful conflict resolution, and
community leadership.
The program comes at a critical time for Birmingham. While the city has
seen encouraging progress—with homicides dropping by 51% in the first half of
2025—community leaders recognize that sustained change requires investment in
prevention, particularly for youth who have not yet entered the justice system.
"We cannot arrest our way out of violence," said Steve
Brown, President of the Arthur and Eva Brown Foundation. "We must
teach our young people the skills they need to navigate conflict peacefully,
communicate respectfully, and lead with integrity. Civility in Action provides
those essential tools."
A Response to Birmingham's Challenges
The program addresses multiple interconnected challenges facing
Birmingham's youth:
Rising Behavioral Concerns in Schools: Educators across Birmingham report increased verbal
aggression, difficulty regulating emotions, and challenges with respectful
disagreement—issues amplified by the social disruption of the COVID-19
pandemic.
Digital Incivility: Social media has created new battlegrounds for youth conflict, with
cyberbullying, vague-posting, and online harassment following students home
24/7.
Community Violence: With 88% of Jefferson County's 2024 homicide victims being Black, the
crisis disproportionately impacts the African American community that forms the
core of Birmingham's congregations and urban schools.
The School-to-Prison Pipeline: Exclusionary discipline practices continue to push vulnerable youth out
of school and into the justice system, despite evidence showing suspensions
increase rather than decrease problematic behavior.
"Birmingham's young people aren't 'bad kids'—they're good kids who
haven't been taught essential skills," said Steve Brown. "Active
listening, I-Statements, conflict de-escalation—these aren't intuitive. They
must be taught, practiced, and reinforced. That's exactly what our program
does."
What Makes Civility in Action
Different
Unlike punitive approaches that simply discipline bad behavior, Civility
in Action teaches specific, actionable skills through a research-backed
curriculum that integrates:
Evidence-Based Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): The program draws on proven SEL
frameworks shown to reduce behavioral problems by 30-50% while improving
academic performance.
Restorative Practices: Rather than punishment, the curriculum focuses on repairing harm,
building empathy, and creating accountability through relationship-building.
Trauma-Informed Approaches: Recognizing that many Birmingham youth have experienced significant
adversity, facilitators are trained to create psychologically safe spaces where
behavior is understood as communication.
Cultural Responsiveness: The curriculum acknowledges the historical context of racial trauma,
centers African American voices and experiences, and celebrates the strength
and resilience of Black families and communities.
Faith Integration: For church implementation, Biblical principles provide a spiritual
foundation for character development, connecting civility to Christian
teachings on peace, kindness, and self-control.
The Six-Week Journey
Each week, participants engage in 90-minute sessions featuring hands-on
activities, role-plays, group discussions, and real-world application:
Week 1: What Is Civility? Why It Matters Students define civility, distinguish
civil from uncivil behaviors, and understand how small acts of incivility
escalate into larger conflicts.
Week 2: Emotional Awareness & Self-Control Participants learn to recognize
triggers, practice the "Six-Second Pause" technique, and create
personal self-control strategies.
Week 3: Communication Skills & Respectful Conversations Youth master active listening (SOLER
method), learn I-Statement formulas, and practice respectful tone and body
language.
Week 4: Conflict Resolution & De-Escalation Students apply the five-step
De-escalation Ladder and practice peaceful disagreement through civil discourse
circles.
Week 5: Civility in Community Settings The program addresses civility across contexts—school,
home, work, and especially online—with dedicated training in digital civility
and social media responsibility.
Week 6: Civility Leadership & Celebration Participants demonstrate their
skills, receive Civility Ambassador certificates, and commit to teaching others
and leading by example.
Dual Implementation: Schools AND
Churches
A unique feature of Civility in Action is its dual implementation
strategy, delivering the program in both Birmingham City Schools and local
churches throughout the city.
In Schools:
- Integrates with existing PBIS
(Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) frameworks
- Can be implemented during school
hours, after-school programs, or as Tier II intervention
- Reduces disciplinary referrals
and improves school climate
- Supports social-emotional
learning initiatives
In Churches:
- Reinforces learning through a
faith-based lens
- Reaches families holistically
through Sunday School and youth programs
- Provides moral and spiritual
framework grounded in Scripture
- Engages parents and guardians
directly
- Strengthens the church's historic
role in character development and community leadership
"The partnership between schools and churches creates a
comprehensive 'web of support' ensuring youth receive consistent messages about
civility across all settings," explained Steve Brown. "When a student
learns de-escalation at school on Tuesday and discusses Biblical peacemaking at
church on Sunday, the learning reinforces itself."
Measurable Outcomes and Accountability
Civility in Action is committed to demonstrating impact through rigorous
evaluation:
Targeted Outcomes for 2026:
- 20% increase in self-reported
civility skills (pre/post survey)
- 30% reduction in disruptive
behavior or interpersonal conflict
- 25% improvement in active
listening and conversation skills
- 80% of participants demonstrate
mastery of I-Statement communication
- 75% of participants independently
use de-escalation techniques outside the program setting
All participants complete pre- and post-program assessments, with schools
tracking behavioral referrals and churches monitoring youth engagement. Program
data will be compiled into quarterly reports shared with funders and
stakeholders.
"We're not asking anyone to take our word for it," said Steve
Brown. "We're measuring everything—skills acquisition, behavioral changes,
academic indicators, and youth voice through reflective journals. The data will
tell the story of impact."
Investment and Sustainability
The Arthur and Eva Brown Foundation has committed $48,520 to launch
Civility in Action in 2026, serving 100 participants across four cohorts. The
cost per participant—$485—represents a strategic investment with substantial
return.
The math is compelling: Research shows that preventing one youth from entering the juvenile
justice system saves taxpayers approximately $47,000 annually. Each incident of
school violence costs schools an estimated $2,000 in administrator time,
counseling, and lost instruction. Even modest reductions in these outcomes
generate significant savings.
"This isn't an expense—it's an investment," said Steve Brown.
"When we prevent suspensions, reduce violence, and equip youth with
workforce-ready soft skills, the return on investment is exponential.
Conservative estimates suggest a 7-to-1 return."
The Foundation is actively seeking additional partners and funders to
expand the program:
- School District partnerships to integrate into existing SEL
initiatives
- Corporate sponsors interested in workforce
development and community impact
- Federal and state grants focused on violence prevention
and youth development
- Individual donors passionate about breaking cycles
of violence
- In-kind contributions of space, materials, and
volunteer facilitators
Building on Birmingham's Momentum
Civility in Action launches at a time when Birmingham is demonstrating
that comprehensive violence prevention works. Mayor Randall L. Woodfin's Crime
Commission blueprint has mobilized the community around evidence-based
strategies, and early results show promise.
Youth mentorship and community-based programs are showing positive
results in reducing violence and supporting young people. Civility in Action
adds another essential layer to this comprehensive approach—teaching skills
that prevent conflict before it ever escalates to violence.
The program also aligns with the historic mission of local churches,
which have always championed education, social justice, and youth empowerment
in Birmingham's communities.
"Churches have been fighting for our community's dignity and
advancement for generations," said Steve Brown. "Civility in Action
continues that legacy. We're not just teaching manners—we're equipping young
people to navigate a world that often doesn't treat them with the respect they
deserve. We're teaching them to demand civility while practicing it
themselves."
Looking Ahead: 2026 and Beyond
The Foundation envisions Civility in Action as the beginning of a
sustained movement toward a more civil, peaceful Birmingham.
2026 Goals:
- Launch 4 cohorts serving 100
participants
- Establish partnerships with 4
schools and 4 churches
- Train 8 certified facilitators
- Document measurable outcomes
- Build the evidence base for
program expansion
Long-Term Vision (2027-2030):
- Expand to 6-8 cohorts annually,
serving 200+ youth per year
- Develop a train-the-trainer model
for sustainability
- Create alumni network of Civility
Ambassadors who mentor new participants
- Establish Civility in Action as a
recognized best practice in SEL and violence prevention
- Expand to additional Alabama
cities facing similar challenges
"Imagine a Birmingham where every young person has been through this
program," said Steve Brown. "Where civility isn't a nice-to-have but
an expectation. Where youth are equipped to resolve conflicts peacefully,
communicate respectfully, and lead with integrity. Where the skills we teach
become the culture we create. That's the Birmingham we're building."
How to Get Involved
The Arthur and Eva Brown Foundation invites Birmingham community members
to support Civility in Action in multiple ways:
Schools: Contact Steve Brown at (205) 515-8649 or aeblegacy@gmail.com to bring
the program to your school as a PBIS intervention, after-school program, or
elective course.
Churches: Reach out to integrate Civility in Action into Sunday School, youth
programs, Family Life Ministry, or summer programs.
Funders: Individual donors, corporate sponsors, and grant-makers interested in
supporting the program can contact Steve Brown at (205) 515-8649 or
aeblegacy@gmail.com.
Volunteers: The Foundation seeks volunteer assistant facilitators, particularly
those with teaching, counseling, or youth ministry experience. Training will be
provided.
Advocates: Share information about the program with schools, churches, and
community organizations. Follow the Foundation for updates.
About the Arthur and Eva Brown
Foundation
The Arthur and Eva Brown Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
dedicated to empowering youth and strengthening communities through education,
character development, and violence prevention initiatives. The Foundation
honors the legacy of Arthur and Eva Brown by investing in programs that create
lasting positive change in Birmingham and beyond. Civility in Action represents
the Foundation's commitment to equipping young people with essential life
skills for personal success and community transformation.
For more information about Civility in Action or to schedule an
interview, contact:
Steve Brown, President, Arthur and Eva Brown Foundation (205) 515-8649 aeblegacy@gmail.com
Join the Movement
Civility in Action launches January 2026. Together, we can raise a
generation of peacemakers.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of
God." — Matthew 5:9
#CivilityInAction #BirminghamYouth #PeacemakerGeneration
This article is part of the Arthur and Eva Brown Foundation's ongoing
commitment to transparency and community engagement. We believe in sharing our
work, our goals, and our impact with the communities we serve.
Comments and Questions
We welcome feedback from the community. Share your thoughts, questions,
or expressions of interest below, or contact us directly at [email].
Published: December 15, 2025 Category: Youth Development, Education, Violence Prevention Tags:
#Birmingham #YouthPrograms #AMEChurch #SchoolPrograms #ViolencePrevention #SEL
