Books
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
“Without forgiveness life is governed by an endless cycle of resentment and retaliation.”
—Roberto Assagioli
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
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
IN THE NEWS
Salesian High School
On March 11, Hashim Garrett and Chief Williams spoke at Salesian High School in New Rochelle, NY, to 350 9-12th grade boys, about incarceration and addiction. During the month of March, the students wish to do a service project for those in prison, providing prisoners with subscriptions to the AA magazine Grapevine.
Some teachers indicated that students wanted to discuss the presentation in subsequent classes, and one teacher is reading the book together with the students. Very grateful for the visit of the team and the presentations by Hashim and Charles. Thank you! —Fr. Jim Heuser
IN THE NEWS
Orange County NY Jail
On March 9, Chief Williams and Patti Ann McDonald spoke at the Orange County jail for about 35 inmates.
IN THE NEWS
Minisink Valley High School
Our March 7 assembly was at Minisink Valley High School in Slate Hill NY. Pat & Annmarie D'Aliso told about their son who committed suicide when he was fifteen. 500 10-11 grade students respectfully listened to suicide awareness prevention tips.
"you were at my assembly at minisink I thought your whole thing was really inspiring. I went through the whole suicidal s**t and hearing your speech and stuff made me cry but also made me realize that my friends are there for me no matter what and so are my family" – Student