07/08/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/08/2025 15:31
WASHINGTON - U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, with numerous local and federal law enforcement agencies and community-based organizations, welcomed more than 350 District youth to the 15th Annual Anti-Violence Youth Summit held today at the Catholic University of America in the Pryzbyla Center.
This year's event, titled "Making D.C. Safe and Beautiful," focused on a variety of subjects including drug abuse prevention, gun violence prevention, and mental health awareness. A moment of silence was held to remember young victims lost by homicide in 2024. U.S. Attorney Pirro presented the United States Attorney's Office's Youth Citizenship Awards to two participants who have been models of academic achievement and peer leadership.
U.S. Attorney Pirro and 2025 Youth Summit Award Recipients.
"The most important thing we can do, in addition to our core mission, is to get out in the community to talk to young people," said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. "The President wants to make Washington, DC safe again and events with youth is an excellent example of how we are empowering young people to protect themselves. If you or anyone you know needs information on protecting our youth please reach out to my office."
Thousands of the District's youth have participated in the Summit since the U.S. Attorney's Office began holding this event in 2011. The Summit is a part of the Department of Justice's Project Safe Neighborhood Program, a nationwide effort to reduce violent crime.
The U.S. Attorney thanks this year's partners: the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation; the East of the River Family Strengthening Collaborative; the Catholic University of America, including its Department of Public Safety; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the Metropolitan Police Department; the Department of Homeland Security; and the D.C. Prevention Centers.
The event is planned and executed each year by members of the Community Engagement Section of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.