11 organizations awarded portions of $1.5M grant to reduce juvenile crime in DC
WASHINGTON (7News) — On Wednesday, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb announced 11 winners of the first-ever “Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Violence Prevention Grant Program.” Schwalb told 7News the groups that will receive a combined $1.5 million in grants will be able to make an immediate impact on reducing juvenile crime in the city.
“As prosecutors for juvenile crime, we’re holding kids accountable when they commit crime, but we also know we’ve got to invest in prevention,” Schwalb told 7News during an interview.
“These are organizations that are already doing the work, and we know that with some additional support from the Office of Attorney General, they can expand the number of kids and families they’re supporting,” Schwalb said. “So we’re anticipating this grant money is going to work right away on the street.”
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Schwalb said the organizations that are receiving the grants have shown using data and evidence that they will be able to make a fast impact.
The total amount shared by all grant winners was originally supposed to be $250,000, but thanks to matching funds by The Greater Washington Community Foundation and other grants by the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, the total that the nonprofits who were selected will receive is now a combined $1.5 million.
Here is a list of the winners, including descriptions of each nonprofit written by the DC Attorney General’s Office:
Access Youth: Access Youth will serve 250+ girls at eight partner schools implementing programming designed to help kids improve behavior, interpersonal skills, and self-esteem, and reduce anger and violence. The program involves a structured curriculum and extracurricular activities, aims to foster empathy and peaceful pathways, and creates a pipeline of student leaders and mediators.
Anacostia Coordinating Council – Building Futures Program: Building Futures will serve young individuals between the ages of 16 and 21, many of whom have experienced marginalization and trauma in their communities as a result of violence, through a one-year youth empowerment and workforce development program. Participants will receive mentorship and support to develop essential soft skills, learn about community development and economic empowerment, develop ideas into business plans, and gain hands-on experience in project management, entrepreneurship, and cooperative leadership.
BEST Kids, Inc.: BEST Kids, Inc. will provide year-round mentoring services to youth in foster care and other at-risk youth ages 6 to 21. Mentors will be trained in violence prevention and will attend workshops with mentees to help them cultivate positive leadership and address risky behavior. BEST Kids, Inc. will also host a violence prevention roundtable at the end of the grant period.
GALA Hispanic Theater: GALA Hispanic Theater will serve 22 – 35 Latinx youth (ages 12-18) experiencing poverty through a program designed to help develop academic and workforce skills, connect with Latinx role models, and cultivate creative expression. GALA will also offer paid stipends to students to work backstage, in the box office, and as house management, giving them on-the-job training experience.
Horton’s Kids: Horton’s Kids will serve 100 middle and high school students with tutoring, homework help, mentoring, and coaching. Program participants will also be screened for behavioral health needs and referred to individual, family and/or group therapy if needed. Horton’s Kids will also launch a Youth Advisory Council that will serve as a platform for older youth participants to provide valuable input, share feedback, and actively participate in decision-making processes related to the program.
Life Pieces to Masterpieces: Life Pieces to Masterpieces will serve 100 boys in daily in afternoon and summer programs, and 10 – 15 young men in a Saturday academy. The daily and summer programs (for boys 3 to 13) will include mentoring, in-depth math and literacy tutoring, and opportunities for cultural enrichment, creative expression, and leadership development. The Saturday Academy (for young men ages 14 to 18) will provide academic support, college and career readiness training, financial literacy skills, and public speaking practice.
Mothers Outreach Network: Mothers Outreach Network will launch a pilot project to support youth and families involved with the Child and Family Service Agency. Through this project, Mothers Outreach Network will leverage youth and family support and meaningful engagements to address the root causes of youth violence, poverty, and economic inequity. The project will provide legal guidance and education, as well as guaranteed income, for transition-aged youth (ages 14 – 25) and their families.
Negotiation Works: Negotiation Works will train 30 D.C. students in negotiation to address youth violence. The courses will teach conflict resolution strategies, active listening, and effective communication.
Network for Victim Recovery DC: Network for Victim Recovery DC will contribute to the long-term well-being and success of young D.C. residents and mitigate risk factors associated with youth violence by providing trauma-informed and restorative justice services for young victims of crime. Youth ages 13 to 24 served through this grant will be referred to restorative justice services and given options to address the harm caused by violence and trauma they experienced. NVRDC will also employ a wrap-around continuum of services including crisis response, supportive advocacy, individual therapy and free legal assistance for young crime victims.
The T.R.I.G.G.E.R. Project: The T.R.I.G.G.E.R. Project will serve 50 vulnerable youth (ages 14 – 24) in the summer T.R.I.G.G.E.R. University program. The program helps youth participants decrease risk factors for involvement in violence—as victims or perpetrators—through youth and family support, conflict resolution training, academic support, and workforce readiness training. Participants also have opportunities to increase social and emotional skills and positive community involvement.
Washington DC Police Foundation: The Washington DC Police Foundation will bridge the gap between youth and law enforcement and help teach life skills for a successful future through the Marshall Heights Bison Youth Football program. Through the program, youth ages 4 to 13 are mentored and equipped with skills to address challenges they face growing into young adulthood. They participate in football practice, game days, tutoring, library mentoring, and team-building opportunities.