Books
Responses from
Newburgh Free Academy West
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
“I think we learn the most from imperfect relationships - things like forgiveness and compassion.”
—Andrea Thompson
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
Nutley High School
On November 4 2026 we were back at Nutley High School in Nutley NJ invited by Guidance Counselor Erin Doyle Theodorou. Pat & AnnMarie D'Aliso addressed the 11th and 12th grades in two assemblies. Both audiences were almost completely silent and attentive.
“People will forget what you said, or did, but they will never forget how you made them feel." —Pat D'Aliso
IN THE NEWS
Port Jervis MS
Wednesday, October 28th 2026, we were at Port Jervis MS speaking to 190 8th grade students on the issues of vaping, bullying, social media, and setting poor boundaries. Pat & AnnMarie and Chief Williams were the speakers. Breaking the Cycle has been there to speak for at the least the past 16 years.
"Forgiveness is a tool you can use to get through the bad stuff that is happening, has happened, or will happen — because no one is exempt." —Chief Williams
IN THE NEWS
Nutley High School 9 & 10th
October 23 was busy as we gave two assemblies at a high school in Nutley NJ. Pat & AnnMarie D'Aliso spoke to 600 freshman and then the sophomores, followed by Scarlett Lewis by video. The theme of the morning was how forgiving those who have hurt you can change your life.
"I realized that it would be my choices from this moment going forward that would determine what our lives would look like. And I chose joy."—Scarlett Lewis
IN THE NEWS
Windsor Prep High School
Hashim Garrett spoke at Windsor HS on October 21, telling about being shot at age 15: "As I lay in that hospital bed, that was the first time I had to ask myself for forgiveness for making poor choices. I'm asking you to stop beating up on yourself and forgive yourself. Find something to be grateful for."
IN THE NEWS
Dover Middle School
On Friday, October 16 the team was at Dover Middle School in Dover Plains, NY speaking with 300 6-8th grade students. Pat & AnnMarie D'Aliso and Chief Williams told their stories and shared important life skills with the students.