By The Diary
25 Aug 2024, 02:41 AM EDT
Nearly $40 million has been awarded for the next phase of the Youth Employment Program, which seeks to reduce gun violence by providing job opportunities and training to at-risk youth in communities across New York State.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the program plays an important role in New York State’s Gun Violence Elimination Initiative (GIVE), which operates in 21 counties with the majority of the state’s population outside of New York City.
“Public safety is my top priority and I will never stop fighting to keep the people of this state safe and working to protect our most vulnerable youth,” said Governor Hochul.
“The Youth Employment Program strengthens my administration’s comprehensive approach to ending the scourge of gun violence in communities across New York State, while providing at-risk youth with valuable work experience and skills that will help ensure they have a strong future,” she added in a statement.
The $38.8 million awarded this week includes investments in year-round jobs and training opportunities for youth in regions supported by the GIVE initiative. This funding is expected to provide paid work and training opportunities to approximately 2,500 low-income and at-risk youth in these areas of the state from September 2024 through June 2025.
As a result of this program and other investments through GIVE, Governor Hochul also announced earlier this week that shooting incidents with injuries are down 29 percent through July 2024 compared to the same seven-month period last year, as reported by the 28 police departments in 21 counties participating in the GIVE Initiative. In many GIVE districts, shootings are now at their lowest level on record since the State began tracking this data two decades ago.
The announcement to move forward with the next phase of the Youth Employment Program will continue that effective work. Research shows that vulnerable, at-risk and unemployed youth can face difficulties later in life, including poverty, mental health and criminal justice involvement. Additionally, youth exposed to trauma and violence can suffer long-term harmful effects later in life, including barriers to employment success and financial stability.
The New York State Youth Employment Program and GIVE Initiative have already proven effective in creating opportunities for youth and reducing gun violence across the state.
Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, the Youth Employment Program has already connected thousands of young people with jobs and training. The most recent phase of the program ran from January 1 to June 30, 2024, when approximately 2,650 young people participated in the program, working in schools, libraries, restaurants, camps/child care programs, community-based organizations, and other workplaces.
To be eligible
The second phase will run from September through June. To be eligible for the program, youth must be between 14 and 20 years old and have a household income below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, which varies by household size and is, for example, $51,640 for a family of three.
Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado said, “Just as we partner with local law enforcement agencies working to further reduce gun violence, we support community-based organizations that provide mentoring, programs, and services for youth and families. Access to year-round employment for youth is critical and complements our efforts. I thank Governor Hochul for her leadership on this public health issue and her commitment to funding programs that allow youth, families, and communities to thrive.”