Mayor Ras J. Baraka today announced the investment of $19 million for violence reduction initiatives over the next three years.
The City of Newark will soon issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) inviting community-based organizations that serve youth and adults in Newark to participate.
The purpose of the RFP is to address trauma, health disparities and social determinants, specifically violence, as a public health issue exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. "Last year, we created the Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery, which supports Newark at-risk youth, adults, and families who have been impacted by the criminal justice system, either as perpetrators or victims," Mayor Baraka said.
"The office works to break often-generational cycles that lead to violence, substance abuse, and crime by giving participants insight into their own strengths and abilities to create legal paths to success. To continue this critical work, we are committed to investing funds to support community-based public safety projects that will also reduce and prevent violence in our city."
With the support of the American Rescue Plan, the City of Newark, and additional grants, the funds will be used by community organizations to create additional safe passage routes for schools and programs based on intervention, treatment, and prevention.
This investment is a continued effort to prioritize the safety of the City and its residents.