Mayor Commits Resources to Community-Led Anti-Violence Efforts
August 29, 2018
Continuing his commitment to investments that reflect and demonstrate significant support of public safety priorities, Mayor Lenny Curry has authorized the transfer of $50,000 in executive branch funds to be allocated for community-led STOP THE VIOLENCE efforts. These funds, managed by the City’s grants office, will be awarded to youth- and faith-based organizations that serve citizens and communities in areas most impacted by violence and crime.
“These past few days have been tough for our city. Yet, they have also ignited our intensity and passion for community-based solutions to address violence,” said Mayor Lenny Curry. “I am heartbroken by these senseless acts of violence that are impacting children, both as victims and perpetrators. We must create a path that shows our youth a better way - one of hope and opportunity.”
In addition to the executive funds, Mayor Curry supports City Council President Bowman and Council members’ Gaffney and Newby’s plans to appropriate available dollars from the Special Council Contingency fund. These dollars, along with funds committed to the mayor by members of the private sector community, are a catalyst for citywide support and collaboration of anti-violence efforts.
Introducing and strengthening efforts to ensure youth have a safe environment and access to positive role models and mentors, as well as engaging, recreational, and career readiness activities have been the impetus behind a number of reforms and initiatives established throughout the Curry administration. The Kids Hope Alliance was established in 2017 as part of comprehensive reforms that would position our community to meet the changing needs of children while improving services to Jacksonville’s at-hope youth.
Throughout the summer, the City offered JaxParks’ Summer Night Lights, a free program hosted each weekend in parks throughout the city that provided teens with recreational and engaging activities in a safe environment.
In addition, the City has consistently provided supplemental funding to afterschool programs offering local youth access to personal development, academic support and positive character-building activities that minimize opportunities for them to engage in violent, criminal and other troubling behaviors.
“We must continue our work with young people,” said Curry. “We must help them see there are possibilities that are larger than what they believe. We must break this cycle of violence and hopelessness. We must stop the violence.”