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Breaking the Cycle of Violence

Through Forgiveness

Breaking the Cycle presents award-winning assemblies that feature personal stories of overcoming conflict through forgiveness. Our assemblies, whether in-person or live online, support your schools' social-emotional learning goals – and can come at no cost to your school, although donations are welcome. Our speakers present examples of core competencies such as  social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision making from their own lives, which readily elicit discussion opportunities in the classroom.

Schedule an Assembly

“The only thing evil can't stand is forgiveness.”

— Fred Rogers

TESTIMONIALS

Social-emotional learning

A panel of dynamic speakers present solutions to:

  • Counteract school violence, bullying and racism
  • Recognize depression and suicide
  • Promote self-respect and respect for others

Schedule an Assembly

VIDEO

What is Breaking the Cycle?

Let our speakers help your students develop the foundational emotional skills needed to resolve conflict and build healthy relationships in today's challenging social environment.

VIDEO

How We Got Started

Colleen McVey of CFN Live interviews Heinrich Arnold, son of the founder of Breaking the Cycle, who speaks of his father's legacy.

Responses from

May 16, 2024

PS 28 Elizabeth NJ

IN THE NEWS

Middle School 419Q

Tomorrow Isa Islam and the Breaking the Cycle team will be at Middle School 419 in Queens for three (count 'em, three!) assemblies. Isa will be telling 6, 7, and 8th grades how he was injured subway surfing at age 17. Each grade has around 200 students in this diverse school.

IN THE NEWS

Twin Towers Middle School

On November 26 we were at Twin Towers Middle School in Middletown NY for two assemblies. Pat & AnnMarie D'Aliso and Randi Kelder told their stories to 310 7th grade students, and then 530 6th and 8th grade students.

Sergeant Eric Huchital, from the Orange County Sheriff's Office, confirmed what the speakers had said. "I am here to underline the message. Its real, it's happened, and I have been the one to deliver these messages about loved ones to families."

IN THE NEWS

Monhagen Middle School

On November 25, Pat & AnnMarie D'Aliso and Randi Kelder held two assemblies at Monhagen Middle School in Middletown NY. The first assembly was for 550 7-8 grade students, and the second for 275 6th grade students.

Forgiveness saved my life. I could have gone down the path of drugs and anger when Ryan died. I found Breaking the Cycle and I learned that I needed to forgive myself. —Randi Kelder

IN THE NEWS

Muhammad Ali School #23

Hashim Garrett, as well as Pat & AnnMarie D'Aliso spoke to 250 7th grade students in Passaic NJ on November 20. Hashim told his story of learning to forgive the boy who shot and paralyzed him at age fifteen.

So they say forgiveness is a gift you give yourself and so I don't forgive this kid so that he, Gavin, got a life. I forgive him so that I got a better life. —Hashim Garrett

IN THE NEWS

Chester Academy

On November 19 we were at Chester Academy in Chester, NY, speaking to 225 6-8 grade students. Pat & AnnMarie D'Aliso and Patti Ann McDonald told their stories to the students.