CLEVELAND — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from a previous story.
Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan has announced four new recipients for the city's Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) grant program. With the latest round of grants totaling $230,000, the program has now awarded more than $1.6 million following the initial round of grants that was announced in March.
"The VIP grant program allows us to support proven mentoring, skills building and intervention programs in our community in order to prevent crime and enhance the wellbeing of a generation of young people and our community at large," Mayor Horrigan said in a statement. "By investing in the trusted and emerging community programs that are already doing this essential work in our neighborhoods, we can reach more people and be more effective in working towards our goals."
The four recipients of this round of grants, their awards and missions are as follows:
- 100 Black Men - $20,000
- "Further enhance educational and economic opportunities for African American teens"
- Greenleaf Family Center - $30,500
- "Strengthen families in Akron through counseling, education, and support. Increasing education and support to EMT first responders and Full Term First Birthday mothers."
- South Akron Youth Mentorship - $80,000
- "Expand mentoring services and build capacity for goal setting and relational accountability for youth mentees"
- Students With a Goal (SWAG) - $100,000
- "After school academic tutoring and leadership mentoring. Expanding to serve students from all parts of Akron"
Nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations and healthcare organizations that provide care to individuals experiencing trauma exacerbated by the pandemic and who are working in the violence prevention and intervention arena are eligible to apply for VIP grants. Applications are currently closed but are scheduled to reopen in October of 2022.
Editor's note: the video in the player above is from a previous story.