Books
Responses from
South MS Newburgh NY
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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
“Forgiveness is a catalyst creating the atmosphere necessary for a fresh start and a new beginning.”
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
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
Orange Avenue School
On January 14 the team travelled to Cranford, NJ for an assembly with 500 6th-8th grade students. First we viewed the Scarlett Lewis video, then Hashim Garrett told the story of how he was shot and paralyzed as a teenager and forgave the shooter.
"So why should we forgive? I like Martin Luther King, Jr.'s quote, 'Forgiveness is not an occasional act. It is a constant attitude.' And that is certainly what I have learned."—Scarlett Lewis
IN THE NEWS
Ellenville Jr/Sr High School
Ellenville asked us to do two assemblies on December 12, one in the morning for 312 7-9 grade students, and at 1pm for 337 10-12 grade students. The Scarlett Lewis video was well received, then former police chief Charlie Williams told how he recovered from a childhood marred by alcoholism.
Remember: One life only... that's what we all have...one life only! —Ulster County DA Emmanuel C. Nneji
IN THE NEWS
Sonia Sotomayor School #25
December 9 found the team at the Sonia Sotomayor School #25 in Elizabeth NJ, speaking to hundreds of middle school students all sitting on the gym floor. First up, we showed a video of Scarlett Lewis telling about her son Jesse, who was murdered in the Sandy Hook school shooting. Then Hashim Garrett, shot at age 15, gave them some advice.
Make sure you stay away from guns. It only takes one second and life can change. —Hashim Garrett
IN THE NEWS
Temple Hill Academy
December 4 the team set up at Temple Hill Academy in New Windsor NY, part of the Newburgh City School District. Pat & AnnMarie D'Aliso and Hashim Garrett spoke to 200 7-8th grade students about suicide prevention and non-violent conflict resolution.
IN THE NEWS
Heritage Middle School
Heritage Middle School in Newburgh NY asked us to speak on December 3, 2025. Pat & AnnMarie D'Aliso and Hashim Garrett told their stories to 200 8th grade students. An eleven-year-old child had been shot recently in the school district and Hashim, who had been shot at fifteen, gave advice about how to respond.
"When you think about revenge you may as well dig two graves, because your life is over. Forgiveness is the greatest gift you can give to yourself." —Hashim Garrett