Stephanie L. Mann Author, Crime and Violence Prevention Consultant, Founder, Safe Kids Now National Network Stephanie Lee Mann was born in Boston, Massachusetts, but moved many times while growing up. The children in the family witnessed alcoholism and abuse from their father. Her twice-divorced parents created a difficult childhood. After her mother's boyfriend moved in, Stephanie was abandoned in Mexico City at age fifteen, and she didn't speak the language. She learned how to survive and thrive in spite of abuse and neglect. Today, parents are often preoccupied and fail to create a healthy and supportive environment for children. Stephanie has learned how to take control of her life and help others. After she was married and became a mother, she became involved in her community. Her books help adults fill the void for children who need love and support. In 1975, Stephanie coauthored Alternative to Fear: Guidelines to Safer Neighborhoods. Her community of seventeen thousand residents had a crime wave with no local police department. As a member of an appointed volunteer committee, she took charge and implemented a neighborhood-responsibility program. The committee of ten volunteers organized and hosted neighborhood meetings. Within two and a half years, residents reduced crime 48 percent. Alternative to Fear: Guidelines for Safer Neighborhoods also helped educate police about the potential of citizens and popularized the neighborhood watch programs. California's first lady Nancy Reagan contacted the California Youth Authority. They funded the guidebook, which was distributed to thousands of police departments, training centers, and state and government agencies. Mann worked as a community leader, neighborhood organizer, county coordinator, and state consultant and coauthored Safe Homes, Safe Neighborhoods: Stopping Crime Where You Live (Nolo Press 1993). She promoted safe neighborhoods and was interviewed over 140 times on TV and radio, including in the Bill Moyer's Special: Solutions to Violence. Stephanie started a homeless-men's support group while working with the Mother Mary Ann Wright Foundation in Oakland, California. From this support group, she recognized the need to support children at an early age, which prompted her to write Street-Safe Kids, a ten-step guide to help youth avoid bullies, drugs, gangs, violence, and grow strong from within to develop self-confidence and stay centered. In 2010, while working in Richmond, California, with Mother's Against Senseless Killings, Mann saw people too scared and angry to be involved or report crimes. Recognizing the need, she wrote The Adopt-A-Block Guidebook, a ten-step, easy-to-follow guide for existing church groups and civic organizations whose members already know and trust one another. This book gives individuals and groups the tools to reach out and help others. In 2015, Safe Kids Now and the CARR Foundation developed the Safe Neighborhoods Program for City Leaders. Stephanie states, "Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, healthy home and neighborhood. Community leaders can make that happen if they give citizens and organizations the tools to create safer families and communities." Keeping kids safe begins at home and in our neighborhoods! For more information, go to www.safekidsnow.com. Resources available: Street Safe Kids: 10 step-guide to develop self-esteem and stay centered Adopt-A-Block Guidebook: Easy steps to create a safe neighborhood Safe Neighborhoods Program for City Leaders. (Strengthen family support must be a national priority) Talk to your city leaders! Videos www.youtube.com/safekidsnow Articles www.ezinearticles.com Get involved: Join the Safe Kids Now National Network to help create change. Together, we can strengthen children, families and neighborhoods and keep everyone safe and healthy!
