Fighting Gun Violence through Prevention
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is committed to reducing gun violence in the city. In an effort to achieve this goal, he is expanding on longtime summer youth programs, providing at-risk young people with funds to participate in arts and other activities.
New Funding Initiative
The new funding will be distributed to community-based organizations that work proactively to prevent youth gun violence and deliver stipends to New Yorkers aged 14 to 24 years old. The funding will be increased from $200,000 to $300,000, allowing organizations to submit joint proposals for summer 2025. The money will be awarded to community-based groups that utilize individuals with lived experience and provide hyperlocal programming in neighborhoods most affected by gun violence, including Washington Heights/Inwood, Harlem/East Harlem, and the Lower East Side, as well as NYCHA developments including Douglas, Amsterdam, and Wise Towers.
Programs and Activities
The funding will support a wide range of programs and activities, including arts, music, and other creative pursuits. "We had one group that, right in Harlem, did farm-to-table cooking. It’s an array of things our youth do," Bragg recalled. "We know from the past that when we do an enforcement action, it creates a vacuum. And then the people who are adjacent to crime before me may step into that vacuum. Well, they’re less likely to if, at the same time, when we do the enforcement action, we say, ‘Hey, look we now have a new opportunity in your neighborhood.’"
Measuring Success
While it is easy to measure the impact of violent crime on a community, the number of lives saved by prevention methods are far less accurate. However, according to data provided by the Manhattan DA’s office, more than 50% of youth remained connected to the organizations after the initiative ended, while 30% of the young participants were new to programs. Statistics also showed that 95 youth participated in 200 sessions, averaging 18 sessions each over three months.
Conclusion
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is committed to reducing gun violence through a multi-faceted approach, including enforcement and prevention. The new funding initiative is part of this effort, providing opportunities for at-risk young people to engage in positive activities and develop skills that can benefit them in the long term.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the deadline for proposals?
A: Proposals are due on January 14, 2025.
Q: How much funding is available?
A: The funding will be increased from $200,000 to $300,000.
Q: Who is eligible to apply?
A: Community-based organizations that work proactively to prevent youth gun violence and deliver stipends to New Yorkers aged 14 to 24 years old are eligible to apply.
Q: What types of programs and activities are supported?
A: The funding will support a wide range of programs and activities, including arts, music, and other creative pursuits.
Q: How can I apply?
A: Applications can be submitted online at manhattanda.org.
