Introduction
Stephen Addison is a business administration graduate and social entrepreneur. He had a passion for boxing part-time while studying and decided to start a social enterprise called Box Up Crime, which aims to include people from disadvantaged backgrounds. After attending LSBU through clearing, he went on to win the LSBU Make It Happen Competition and become a finalist in Teach First’s Innovation Awards. He acknowledges the mentors who provided consistent guidance and encouragement, which is what he now aims to do for the youth.
Box Up Crime
Stephen Addison launched Box Up Crime in 2013 after witnessing the tragic loss of many close friends to gang violence and crime. Such tragedy and firsthand experience with the harsh realities of crime and violence among young people awakened something in him. This inspired him to bring about change and establish an organization that would address the underlying issues exposing vulnerable young people to crime.
Box Up Crime’s mission is to provide viable and positive alternatives to incarceration and offer meaningful opportunities that encourage personal growth, development, and empowerment. By addressing the root causes of crime, Box Up Crime supports youth in finding their path and creating a brighter future.
Challenges Young Adults Face
On a day-to-day basis, young people face challenges and struggles that make them susceptible to crime and violence, particularly in urban, metropolitan cities like London. Every year, hundreds of young people are tragically murdered there, with some victims as young as 13. However, the rise in crime and gang violence stems from a deeper issue: the lack of safe spaces and opportunities for youth to develop their social skills and strive for a successful future.
Many don’t feel supported in their current environment, believing it either limits their potential or fails to help them, leading them to seek dangerous alternatives. With the crime rate continuously rising, more and more young people are being expelled from school and receiving a low-quality education, affecting their attainment and future opportunities, and drawing them even closer to crime. Box Up Crime recognizes the importance of young people having access to education and supportive role models and sees this as a matter of urgency. Thus, they have dedicated their mission to finding innovative solutions to amend this problem.
Box Up Crime’s Solution
Box Up Crime helps youth in various aspects of their lives and steers them away from crime by providing different opportunities and guidance. They offer boxing programs for young people in the community and are affiliated with Boxing England to provide a safe space where everyone can develop new skills. Furthermore, in collaboration with the University of the Arts London, they created “The Real Me” curriculum—a toolkit for mentoring and leadership development—which has won numerous awards. By giving young people a platform to express their feelings through music, Box Up Crime allows them to be creative and explore potential career paths.
The organization supports youth in starting their own social enterprises, guiding them through their ideas and encouraging them to channel their creativity productively. Lastly, by offering career guidance and helping youth find a successful path, Box Up Crime provides support they might not otherwise receive. Overall, Box Up Crime offers various options that guide young people, prevent them from committing crimes, and help them achieve their goals despite the lack of facilities in their communities.
Conclusion
Stephen Addison’s story and his creation of Box Up Crime continue to be a powerful pillar within the community and serve as an inspiring example of how one person’s passion and vision can spark positive change. Through its comprehensive programs, Box Up Crime caters to the needs of at-risk youth while motivating them to take charge of their future and aspire to greatness. By presenting solutions and alternatives to a life of crime and violence, the organization aids their journey of personal development and supports their transformation.
Stephen’s work is a testament to the necessity of bettering the community and tackling the complex social issues that affect our youth today. As Box Up Crime continues to grow, we celebrate and commend the work it has accomplished so far as a beacon of hope for young people, leading them toward a brighter, more prosperous future.
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