ROANOKE, Va. – Roanoke City hopes to soon hire several people who will work to prevent the gun violence many neighborhoods have experienced.
The Gun Violence Task Force is applying for a grant that would create three jobs: a youth and gang violence coordinator and two street outreach employees.
We first told you about the youth and gang violence assessment that will gauge the effects and causes of gun violence by speaking directly with those impacted.
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“We want to sustain that success not just for returning citizens, but for young adults and youth, or anyone in our community that has experienced barriers to success and opportunity. We want to make sure that we have the services in place over an extended period of time to ensure that success,” explained Councilman Joe Cobb.
The Gun Violence Task Force is also looking to partner with local nonprofits.
They plan to give out $65,000 in mini-grants to organizations that can help with this effort.
These funds will be distributed in grants ranging from $3,000-$5,000 for activities to be completed by August 31, 2021.
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Prevention and intervention efforts may include:
- Mentoring and Sponsoring
- Education
- Training (Conflict Resolution, Trauma-informed, Youth Employment)
- Scholarships
- Youth Entrepreneurship
- Programs and Events
- Eligibility
Applicants must be located within the City of Roanoke and be nonprofit—501(c)—organizations or other duly organized nonprofits in good standing with the Commonwealth of Virginia, the City of Roanoke, with complete operational status as of May 1, 2021.
Click here for more information and to apply.