Keep Youth Feeling Safe & End Bullying

PARTI Goals to engage youth for our Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Stop The Violence Event. 

I am a part of this event because I know what it’s like to feel lost and rejected and recognize that change doesn’t come by itself, it needs us to be its catalyst. the October bullying prevention event taught me that our voices matter and can make a difference. it also taught me how to work better as a team and how to become a better leader. - Damien's Testimonial 

I’m part of this event because I want to be a voice for students who don’t always feel comfortable speaking up. The October Bullying Prevention event showed me how important student leadership is in creating a respectful and safe school culture. - Tori's Testimonial 

I am part of this event because I have supported the PARTI program and its events for 10+ years as a conduit for Milpitas High School BSU and LSU club(s).. I feel the programs elements have helped and supported students and gave them a voice to express their inner selves.. That is why I stand with PARTI- Mr. Wilson's Testimony (Teacher)

Highlighted in our last report:

As PARTI wraps up 2025 in partnership with Kaiser Permanente at the 3rd Annual Thrive To Strive – Exploring Careers in the Health Industry event at San Jose State University, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the incredible impact our youth have made across the country this fall. Now, we look ahead to shaping the 26th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Stop The Violence Event and the California-wide, student-led Stop The Violence Campaigns.

For over 2 years, PARTI has received local, State, and National recognition for 25 years of Bullying and Violence Prevention. In 2014, Executive Director Winston Ashby received communication from the White House and President Barack Obama for transformation work with male youth. In 2025, PARTI was recognized by the California State Assembly Ash Kalra and California State Attorney General Rob Bonta for celebrating 25 years of providing programs, services, and youth-led activities that reduce violence, address mental health whole child support needs, and elevate youth to be advocates for their peers and community. In 2025, PARTI received distinguished recognition from US Senator Adam Schiif and US Congress Woman Zoe Lofgren for our impact in addressing mental wellness and bullying prevention. Founder, Ashby, earned the SJSU Women’s Basketball Honorary Community Coach, the SF 49ers Dr. Harry Edwards “Follow Your Bliss” and Community Educator Awards, and the Cristo Rey Jesuit Workforce Mentor Award. Further honors include Braven Leadership Coach (SFSU), induction into the East Side Union High School District Hall of Fame, and appointment to the Silicon Valley Chamber Super Bowl and World Cup Games Advisory Group – Santa Clara County Youth Activation/Engagement Committee. We use evidence-based strategy like Whole Child approach, and Trusted Messenger. We draw on real-world experiences to boost workforce readiness, education, and social-emotional wellness, addressing root causes to tackle disparities linked to safety-net needs, behavioral challenges, and educational gaps. Our team brings special skills and experience, actively participating in training and cohorts. Participants engage in programming, 2-5 hours a week, PARTI hires staff who live in each city served. Monday – Saturday. Youth role’s: Interns, service - project leaders, seasonal jobs. Participants lead, plan, and host activities.

During the Fall engagement period, PARTI successfully reached a total of 66 unique students across five cities, demonstrating strong regional participation and growing youth interest in leadership and community involvement opportunities. The majority of participants were from San Jose (48 students), reflecting PARTI’s deep-rooted presence and impact in the local community. Engagement also expanded to Daly City (15 students), along with representation from Fremont, Newark, and Gilroy (one student each), further strengthening the program’s regional footprint across the Bay Area.

Students expressed a wide range of ways they wished to get involved, highlighting both creative expression and leadership development. The most common areas of interest included performing, volunteering, modeling, and organizing. Additional roles included speaking, fundraising, recruiting vendors, and mobilizing student groups. Some students also indicated that they needed support in order to participate, reinforcing the importance of PARTI’s wraparound approach in reducing barriers and ensuring equitable access to opportunities.

Participants represented more than a dozen high schools and educational institutions across multiple districts, including Overfelt High School, James Lick High School, Gunderson High School, Evergreen Valley High School, Silver Creek High School, Piedmont Hills High School, Prospect High School, Del Mar High School, Oak Grove High School, Mission San Jose High School, and schools in Daly City. A substantial number of students were also enrolled in Silicon Valley Career Technical Education (SVCTE) programs, strengthening the connection between PARTI programming and career pathway development.