Books
Responses from
PS 28 Elizabeth NJ
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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
“Anger makes you smaller, while forgiveness forces you to grow beyond what you were.”
—Cherie Carter-Scott
Social-emotional learning
A panel of dynamic speakers present solutions to:
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.
IN THE NEWS
Cairo-Durham Middle School
On June 3, 2025 we were at Cairo-Durham Middle School for two assemblies, the first for 270 6-8th grade students, and after lunch, 345 9-12th grade students. Pat & AnnMarie D'Aliso and Hashim Garrett talked about mental health, bullying, and non-violent conflict resolution. This photo of AnnMarie is from the last time we were there in 2017.
IN THE NEWS
Eastside High School
On May 29 Pat & Annmarie spoke to 500 10th grade students at Eastside High School in Paterson NJ, where the story for the film "Lean on Me" was based. The school was opened in 1926, and will soon be celebrating 100 years at that location.
"It was heartbreaking to hear the story of Patrick, but the students needs to see the reality of decisions they make that impact other people." —Rima Bandeli, School Counselor
IN THE NEWS
New Heights Middle School
Breaking the Cycle was at New Heights Middle School in Brooklyn NY on May 1st, speaking to 250 6-8 grade students. Isa Islam and Hashim Garrett told their stories of injury as a result of risky behavior when teens.
IN THE NEWS
Minisink Valley Middle School
On the morning of April 1st we were back in Minisink Valley, this time at the middle school. Pat & AnnMarie D'Aliso and Randi Kelder spoke to 275 8th grade students. AnnMarie D'Aliso stands in front of a painting of her son, Patrick, who committed suicide at age 15. "You have the opportunity to be the best person you can be. Be kind to each other. Kindness rubs off."
IN THE NEWS
Sleepy Hollow Middle School
On March 28 the team was at Sleepy Hollow Middle School in Sleepy Hollow NY, where our speakers addressed 622 6-8 grade students. Pat & AnnMarie D'Aliso spoke about bullying and spotting the signs of depression and told the students about their son who committed suicide at age fifteen.
"Both staff and students told me this was the best assembly they've ever had." —Assistant Principal Mayerlin Strippoli