Melrose Alliance Against Violence

                Melrose Alliance Against Violence (MAAV) is an organization that began in Melrose in 1995. It was created to help spread awareness about domestic violence. Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) is a branch of MAAV, run by Northeastern Sports in Society, and helps educate students to better understand how to play a role in stopping issues such as sexual assault and sexual harassment.

                MAAV focuses on violence prevention, and works closely with the community to raise awareness about teen-dating violence and domestic violence. MVP is a program that encourages and empowers student leaders to play a central role in solving these problems that MAAV focuses on.

                Alyssa Abbot, a senior at MHS, has been interested in the MAAV program since she was a little girl. She attended the annual MAAV walks with her family and applied to the MAAV’s Student Action Board at the end of her freshman year. She has since been deeply involved with MAAV.

                “I truly love being part of such an amazing and selfless organization.” Abbot said.

                Every half-day, nominated student-leaders join together with the MVP mentors (from Northeastern University) and discuss how somebody’s actions can make a negative or positive difference in the community.

                “I feel I am making our society a better place with what I have been taught through MAAV and MVP.” Abbot said, “To me, MVP is an opportunity for a wide variety of students to be taught how their leadership and their voice can make a difference in the community, and at large. I enjoy every minute spent with MVP, and I know that the other students do too.”

                MAAV helps the Melrose community, through its devotion to support people and educate them about teen-dating violence and domestic violence.

                “No one should have to face these grueling issues alone, and MAAV serves as an outlet and support for anyone who faces violence,” Abbot said.

                MAAV’s Board recently has put the MVP students in freshman seminar classes to train and teach them on what they have learned through the program.

By: Christian Hashem