YouthPeace^® was launched by the Illinois Center for Violence Prevention in the fall of 1995 to build a statewide movement/network of young people who want to be educated, active leaders in violence prevention and peacemaking in their families, schools, and communities.  The YouthPeace® program provides structured opportunities for young men and women to work with their peers and supportive adults in local, regional and statewide violence prevention efforts in Illinois.

YouthPeace^® Chapters throughout the state work collaboratively with community partners on an annual basis to conduct a community assessment and plan and implement a violence prevention activity. Illinois Center for Violence Prevention Organizers work closely with each chapter providing guidance and technical support throughout the program year. Each chapter receives over 120 hours of violence prevention, skill building, and community activism training. 

YouthPeace^® Chapters can be sponsored and developed in an agency, school, community, region, or county as a membership group or project through which young people can work in partnership with adults and network with their peers to become educated and involved in a range of peacemaking and violence prevention activities.