Sixteen grassroots organizations active in violence prevention are receiving grants from One Lexington, Mayor Linda Gorton said today.
“Nonprofit organizations have been active in our community for many years, working to stop violence among our young people,” Gorton said. “While these organizations take different approaches to reaching our youth, the message is the same: be safe, make good choices, and enjoy a bright future ahead.”
One Lexington Director Devine Carama said, “One Lexington’s goal to address youth and young adult gun violence relies on our partnership with many grassroot nonprofit organizations. Over the last two years, our violence prevention grants have supported programs focused on sports, transitioning into adulthood, mentoring, conflict resolution, trauma support, art therapy, re-entry, and much more. This program allows us to put resources directly into the hands of those on the frontlines doing the work.”
This is the third year for the grant program. The City estimates approximately 1,200 young people were served by programming funding by last year’s grants.
Organizations submitted applications for the funding through Community Action Council, which vetted each proposal and recommended organizations for funding. There were 42 applications originally.
One Lexington Crisis Response Coordinator Kenneth Payne said, “A community’s ability to affect its people holistically must be found in its efforts to meet the variety of needs in the community. These grant recipients share a common purpose but have a diverse skillset in doing so.”
Founder and Executive Director of Operation Making a Change Geo Gibson said, “Operation Making a Change is very grateful to receive the necessary funds from One Lexington to further our initiatives, to combat and educate against the violence that we see firsthand in our communities. The kids in our program face many real-life challenges and situations throughout their lives daily, ranging from hunger, substance abuse, gun violence, and more. With this funding, we are able to address these problems by providing the necessary life skills and tools that will stay with them for a lifetime.”
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The 16 organizations represent a variety of approaches to helping young people. Following are the organizations that received funding:
- Charlotte Court Inc. (CCI) - Targets elementary and middle school students who struggle academically, behaviorally, and/or socially. CCI will host camps, summer programs, and workshops, incorporate sports, and host guest speakers on important matters.
- Community Inspired Solutions - Will offer anti-violence workshops and speakers, diet and nutrition classes, financial literacy classes, arts and crafts classes, stop the bleed, babysitting certification classes, and a host of other activities.
- Exhilarating Inc. - Provides safe structured and holistic environment and programs, which educate, empower and promote social and emotional development. It enables participants to acquire and develop new skills, build self-confidence, and have fun doing it.
- FoodChain Inc. - Engages youth in paid internships through our Bluegrass Urban Farm Friends program. Will provide meaningful opportunities for skill development, mentorship, and community engagement.
- HEARTS for Basketball - Strives to break the cycle of marginalization and unlock pathways to success for young adults and at-risk youth in the Lexington. Through tailored programing, it will provide access to quality education, skill building, and mentorship opportunities.
- Casa de la Cultura Hispana de Lexington - The Joven Noble and Girasol Rites To Passage Program will target middle and high school students, and youth in the juvenile justice system. 12 weeks of “Circle Keeper” sessions will culminate in a Rites to Passage ceremony.
- Kentucky Center for Grieving Children and Families - Will create a series of grief-related programs in partnership with local churches and community-based non-profits to create a safe space for children and teens to talk about and process their emotions related to their death losses.
- Kentucky Foundation for Black Women and Families - Will employ workshops on conflict resolution, peer medication training, violence prevention sessions, guest speaker and panel discussion, life-skills development workshop, and youth leadership and advocacy initiatives.
- Lexington Raven Football – Will utilizing Trust Based Relational Intervention and Positive Youth Development methodologies to promote discipline and respect on and off the field, leadership development, team-building skills, mentoring, and violence intervention strategies.
- Lexington Leadership Foundation - Program will teach how to understand and promote personal and community safety and success (Service), skill-development (Education), address past and current trauma (Discovery), and envisioning new possibilities (Exposure).
- Lexington Rescue Mission - Will provide crisis care, case management and support to individuals and family members at high risk of being the target of potential gun violence or individuals at risk of engaging in gun violence.
- MPower Rhythm - Drumming intensives and workshops will teach basic rhythms and familiarize student with the process of ensemble drumming; and provide an outlet for creative expression and emotional release; as well as teach teamwork, and an ability to concentrate.
- NAMI Kentucky - “Ending the Silence” help youth learn warning signs of mental health conditions, and steps to take if you or a loved one are showing symptoms of a mental health condition. This engaging presentation will be offered in all Fayette County high schools.
- Operation Making A Change (OMAC) - Will provides mentorship, coaching, and support to teens and adults to enhance self-awareness in order to break the cycle of problem behavior and make sustainable behavior change. It also seeks to enhance respect, discipline and accountability.
- Resolve Fitness - Youth will be exposed to a “Lifestyle Fair” where they will learn from others in the fitness industry. Programming will empower those who are overcoming adversity, by providing mentorship, executive coaching, and personal development.
- Trauma Informed Counseling Center (TICC) - The I.M.P.A.C.T. Project is designed to provide trauma-informed clinical mental health service to juvenile from identified at-risk areas of Fayette County, and their caregivers; and will conduct local support groups.
