City Invests In Nonprofits To Reduce Gang Activity
D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) and Council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) announced this morning that $200,000 in funding will be split among 25 nonprofits that are working with youths throughout the city to curb gang violence.
The money was funneled from the District police to the Citywide Coordinating Council on Youth Violence Prevention, which then awarded mini-grants to the 25 organizations, Fenty said. "No problem will be ever be solved by the government alone," he said.
Fenty and Graham held press conference with the grantees at the Reeves Center on U Street.
"This is the first time the city is moving to a civilian strategy based on non.
profits," Graham said.
The coordinating council was created by the D.C. Council to bring the various groups together and "promote positive youth development," according to facts about the organization released today.
The recipients of the grants range from Holy Name Catholic Church, which is using its money to hold a two-day conference on the psychology of gang violence, to C.O.I.N.N.S., a group that will work specifically with female gang members.
Graham said the council has also made way for another $1 million to be put into the effort in 2009.
By Nikita R Stewart |
July 8, 2008; 1:38 PM ET
| Category:
Crime and Public Safety
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Posted by: Christine in VA | July 8, 2008 3:12 PM
Christine I understand what you are saying but your solution is just rhetoric. One, every state does not have the death penalty. Two this is DC, not the common wealth. There are young people that can be reached before it is to late and they are in the system which actual teaches you how to be better at being bad
Posted by: joe | July 8, 2008 3:23 PM
This is a misguided effort. There are legit nonprofits out there, but there are also quite a few 'community groups' that are nothing but scam artists.
It'd be nice to think DC will somehow monitor how these funds are spent. But I doubt it.
Posted by: Hillman | July 8, 2008 3:23 PM
I had no idea this was ANTI-Gang! Shamrocks Still Rule this CITY!
Posted by: Luckey Pete | July 8, 2008 3:34 PM
It will cost you a lot more than that coppers! My Foggy Bottom Boys will make you pay! Of course, we all have a price - so let's n-e-g-o-t-i-a-t-e.
Holy Name Catholic Church, please tell Fr. Flanagan to stay clear!
Posted by: Tony the Prune Pit | July 8, 2008 3:38 PM
Trust me when I say that a non profit will not work without police or Government "muscle" behind them. The only way to destroy a gang is to infiltrate it.
A intelligence(Police/Community) agency must be started with
grass roots involvement. How can you stop a gang when you don't know anything about the people or their environment. Gangs are on the rise on the East Coast and they are coming to a neighborhood near you!
Posted by: truebeliever | July 8, 2008 3:42 PM
Christine is an idiot!
Posted by: nativson | July 8, 2008 3:43 PM
so, C.O.I.N.N.S., works with female gang members. better bring some coins, a lot of them, if you want my girls to back down.
Posted by: Bettty the Bopper | July 8, 2008 3:44 PM
The Pizza Man has called for a truce and for all of us to meet at the Hill Street Station after dinner. I believe we should all respect his invitation and air our cop-gang grievances. Who's with us?
Posted by: Joey One Eye | July 8, 2008 4:00 PM
We will attend the meeting, but will the Pizza Man deliver? Last time he only brought two pies and fights ensued.
Posted by: The Del Fuegoes | July 8, 2008 4:05 PM
We will attend under one condition: NO anchovies!
Posted by: The Black Dukes | July 8, 2008 4:08 PM
No way are we entering the same room as those Black Duke punks! Deal breaker!
Posted by: White Anarchists of Tenley Town | July 8, 2008 4:09 PM
I will attempt to gather my men, but they are spread out across the park. Can we re-schedule for tomorrow, say two-ish?
Posted by: The Gay Rock Creepers | July 8, 2008 4:12 PM
Joey, focus your one good eye on the true enemy here. Christine!
Posted by: The Fugazzites | July 8, 2008 4:24 PM
Come Out to Play Shamrocks!
Posted by: White Anarchists of Tenley Town | July 8, 2008 4:29 PM
We run Chinatown. We make a lot of dough and give some to the city. What's the problem here?
Posted by: The Chinatown Slickee Boyz | July 8, 2008 4:38 PM
If there is a chance to promote our gang, we are there pal Joey!
Posted by: The Graham Crakas Gang | July 8, 2008 5:38 PM
Make sure to bring some COINNS! hee hee hee
Posted by: Lizzie's Man Beating Lezbos | July 8, 2008 5:50 PM
If their actions were not so misguided and the consquences were not deadly tragic, you could make a cartoon series of the dc government.
do they think that anyone believes or respects them?
Posted by: JohnAdams1 | July 8, 2008 5:50 PM
There's a place for us! Better be. See all you suckas at the meeting.
Posted by: I feel pretty ... good | July 8, 2008 6:15 PM
These kids are victims of the social disease!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq28qCklEHc
Posted by: Officer Krupke | July 8, 2008 8:42 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Government funding will NOT stop gang violence. Executing convicted criminals in a timely fashion will send a more SERIOUS message!
Time for the government to wake up and realize how serious the problem really is and send the gangs a real message!