JULY 25, 2024 – Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the eight community-based organizations selected to receive $20,000 each from the Manhattan D.A.’s Office for initiatives to prevent youth gun violence. The Office’s funding allows community-based organizations to pay young New Yorkers stipends over the summer to participate in meaningful programming – such as mentorships and workshops to enhance conflict resolution and leadership skills – or to improve and beautify public spaces that are known areas for gun violence.

Funding was awarded to community-based organizations with strong track records that employ people who have experienced gun violence and that provide hyperlocal programming in neighborhoods and NYCHA developments most affected by gun violence:

Children’s Aid NYC (Frederick Douglass Center, Upper West Side); Grand St. Settlement (Lower East Side); Muslim Community Network (Central Harlem); Not Another Child (Jefferson Houses, East Harlem); Police Athletic League (Central Harlem); Street Corner Resources (West Harlem); University Settlement (Lower East Side); and Uplift NYC (Washington Heights/Inwood).

“Since the launch of this initiative, we have driven down shootings by nearly 40% in Manhattan through targeted prosecutions and strategic community investments. For the last three summers, our youth gun violence prevention initiative has served the future generation of young New Yorkers across the borough, all with the goal of reducing gun violence and keeping Manhattan safe,” said District Attorney Bragg. “I am honored to award these eight dedicated community-based organizations with funding to engage and employ young people, and I look forward to seeing the outcome of this summer’s projects!”

“As a community, we must invest in our youth and address the root causes of gun violence,” said Assemblymember Grace Lee. “I want to express my gratitude to District Attorney Bragg for his commitment to supporting local organizations that engage young New Yorkers in meaningful activities and enhance neighborhood safety.”

“I applaud DA Bragg’s recognition that a key strategy to address the problem of gun violence in our community is early intervention. We need collaboration between everyone in our community to address the problems that underlie gun violence, and to help young people learn alternatives to conflict resolution as well as maintaining public spaces that become hot spots for illegal activity. I look forward to our ongoing work together to make our borough and our City even safer through novel solutions that empower young people in our neighborhoods,” said Assemblymember Harvey Epstein.

With this year’s awards, approximately 420 young New Yorkers will have received stipends and services through the D.A.’s Office’s summer gun violence prevention initiative. Since it was launched by D.A. Bragg in Summer 2022, shooting incidents are down 39% and there are 37% fewer shooting victims in Manhattan.

The Manhattan D.A.’s Office is providing these awards through its Criminal Justice Investment Initiative (“CJII”), which was created using millions seized in the Office’s investigations against major banks.

University Settlement (Lower East Side)

University Settlement will facilitate a 10-week internship during which 15 youth will gain hands-on experience and mentorship, fostering skill-building and personal growth. Participants will be expected to support activities at the center as interns and to help with community events, including supporting community leaders and elected officials.

“We are grateful to the DA’s office for providing this vital funding, which we are using to engage young people in Lower Manhattan as interns at our Cornerstone @ Campos Plaza this summer,” said Steven Portericker, Chief Program and Equity Officer, University Settlement. “Our paid interns will engage positively in the community by supporting the Center’s programming, receive access to mental health supports, and have the opportunity to participate in professional and personal development workshops. We’re excited for another safe, fun summer full of learning and community at Campos!”