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Published on December 03, 2024
Manhattan DA Boosts Funding to $300,000 for Summer Youth Gun Violence Prevention ProgramsSource: Google Street View

In a concerted effort to curb youth gun violence in Manhattan, District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. has unveiled a plan to inject an additional $100,000 into summer prevention programs, raising the total investment to $300,000. This increased support, detailed by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, aims to fund community-driven initiatives, with a focus on engaging young New Yorkers in meaningful summer activities and providing them with earning opportunities through stipends.

"As someone who grew up in Harlem myself, I know firsthand the importance of keeping young people engaged and busy during the summer months," D.A. Bragg said in a statement obtained by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. The approach is multipronged, combining prevention efforts along with strategic prosecutions and traditional law enforcement methods. Critical to the success of the initiative are the community-based organizations that will execute the programs. A minimum of ten organizations are expected to receive the funding necessary to offer these stipends to youth between the ages of 14 and 24 in neighborhoods heavily impacted by gun violence.

The district attorney's office is actively encouraging local organizations to forward joint proposals that combine their respective strengths. Seeking to optimize the impact of the grants, they offer two application tracks: single entities could receive $25,000, while collaborative bids are eligible for $60,000. This fosters not just financial support, but also synergistic partnerships where larger organizations with robust infrastructures can team up with small-scale groups embedded within the communities.

Award recipients must showcase their capability to work in concert with the D.A.'s Office, focusing on youth at a high risk of gun-related offences or victimization. These organizations are expected to not only be present in, but to also have significant connections to areas disproportionately affected by gun violence. The regions specified include Washington Heights/Inwood, Harlem/East Harlem, the Lower East Side, and specific NYCHA developments. "We are building on that progress," D.A. Bragg told the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. Proposals are due January 14, 2025, with awards slated for announcement come the following spring.

These initiatives trace their financial roots back to the Criminal Justice Investment Initiative (CJII), set up through monies acquired by the district attorney’s office through adjudications involving major banks. With the planning phase occurring in late spring, the selected programs are scheduled to operate from July 1 to August 29 next year, encompassing a variety of youth-led events, creative arts projects, and internships that promote career readiness.