Helping Families and Strengthening Communities by providing front-line program support in the City of Yonkers.
YONKERS, Oct. 29, 2021 – The YWCA Yonkers received a grant supporting the implementation and management of Gun Violence Prevention Initiatives across (7) zip codes within the City of Yonkers for ages 18-24. The program supports efforts including job training and placement, community activities, intervener staffing in communities seeing the highest concentration of gun violence and expansion of Gun Violence Intervention Programs.
On October 4, 2021, YWCA Yonkers was awarded $1.050M from Governor Hochu to end the Gun Violence Epidemic and Support Intervention Programs.
The YWCA Yonkers will refer our young adults within the program with priority given referrals from gun violence interveners and other anti-gun violence advocacy organizations to other community service providers. We want to ensure the YWCA Yonkers is enhancing their life and work skills, assisting in planning for their future all while empowering and enriching their minds.
“Gun violence is a horror no one should have to live through, and yet too many New Yorkers do. It is time we put an end to this epidemic,” Governor Hochul said. “We have to give young people hope and let them know their lives have meaning, which starts with creating jobs as well as more access to career training, working closely together with community organizations, and boosting gun violence intervention programs.”
“We are up for the challenge, and we absolutely understand that gun violence in our community is an issue. We are ready to hit the ground running!” says CEO, Charlie Knight. “We are committed to those that have been impacted, and we know the funds will greatly make an impact in our community and with our young people.”
The state is tackling gun violence by pinpointing cluster zones, and have identified zip codes within Yonkers (10701, 10703, 10704, 10705 and 10710) that have been hardest hit by gun violence and are providing
jobs for young adults. Since January 2021, gun violence is up, and at least 50% is due to homicides and 55% of nonfatal shootings involve people associated with gangs or more loosely affiliated “street groups.”
Visit YMCAYonkers.org for more information.
