Rep. Bowman, Gov. Hochul Announce Funding and Partnership to End Violence During Week of Healing

New York – As part of Congressman Jamaal Bowman’s (NY-16) Week of Healing, he and Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY), highlighted over $2 million in funds awarded to community partners to end violence and announced the next round of state funds totaling $100,000 to programs in his district. These programs have been selected with input from the Congressman and are programs that address the multiple causes of violence, including but not limited to substance use, mental health, and education. 

Congressman Bowman and Governor Hochul highlighted funds to address community violence in the Build Back Better Act and called for its Senate passage. Congressman Bowman and Governor Hochul also announced a continued partnership and convening effort. Under Congressman Bowman’s leadership, community stakeholders and relevant groups will be brought together to form a coalition against violence.

“Throughout my work as an educator and experience as a parent and resident in New York, I’ve seen firsthand the kinds of struggles people in our neighborhoods face on a daily basis,” said Congressman Jamaal Bowman (NY-16). “I am proud to join Governor Hochul in strategically investing in critical community programs and securing new funding for Westchester Family Services and Peace is A Lifestyle. People are suffering and we see it in how much violence and self-destructive behavior is occurring among young people and older generations alike. Today's announcement of additional funding and the continued partnership between the Governor, on-the-ground community groups, and myself is a positive step forward in our mission to end violence, but we will not stop here. To begin healing and respond to this crisis, we need more funds for support programs in our neighborhoods. In Congress, I will continue working to get the Build Back Better Act, which will deliver billions for violence intervention programs across the country, signed into law. I know that we are on the right path to healing our friends, loved ones, and neighbors alike.”

This announcement comes as Congressman Jamaal Bowman leads a Week of Healing to bring attention to the need to address violence through the funding of innovative solutions like trauma-informed cognitive behavioral therapy, violence intervention and prevention programs, hospital-based violence prevention, and more. Congressman Bowman’s Week of Healing will consist of a violence prevention town hall, a CARES program briefing, and several announcements, including this one, that will help NY-16 to overcome trauma, violence, and promote healing.

"The unfortunate reality is that we're still seeing the spectre of gun violence in communities across the nation," Governor Hochul said. "This is a wake-up call, and with today's announcement I'm proud to have committed more than $30 million in grants to fight gun violence. These funds will boost street outreach programs in targeted areas that have seen an uptick in the cycle of gun violence, providing young people with the tools and education to pursue a brighter future." 

Funding Summary:

$100,000 in New Investments in NY-16 will go to:

• Westchester Family Services
• Peace is A Lifestyle

Funding to Expand Gun Violence Intervention Programs
Street Outreach Workers:

Bronx:

• Urban Youth Alliance International: $156,975 for 3 new hires
• Bronx-Jacobi: $207,978 for 4 new hires
• CCI - Save Our Streets: $210,000 for 3 new hires

Westchester:

• SNUG – Yonkers: $88,904 for 3 new hires
• Mt. Vernon SNUG program: $97,508 for 2 new hires

Hospital-Based Workers:

• Lincoln NYC Health and Hospitals (Guns Down Life Up): $191,382 for 3 hires to expand a hospital-based program
• Bronx-Jacobi: $669,000 for 6 new hires

Funding for Youth Engagement Activities

• YMCA of Yonkers: $60,000
• BROTHER 2 BROTHER 914 Inc.:  $7,500
• YWCA: $30,000
• Nepperhan Community Center: $30,000
• Westchester Untouchables: $10,000
• Yonkers Arts: $30,000
• Boys and Girls Club- Mt. Vernon: $30,000

• $250,000 in additional funding to the Bronx for community activities has been dispersed between:
• New Settlement Community Center
• Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club
• North Bronx YMCA

• A further $2.9 million has been awarded to the local workforce development board to establish new job training and placement programs for at-risk youth.

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