St. Louis Awarded Department of Justice Safe & Thriving Grant

The U.S. Department of Justice has awarded the City of St. Louis’ Youth Violence Prevention Partnership $737,770 for a 3-year Cooperative Agreement as part of its FY-17 Safe and Thriving Communities Grant Program. The award has funding for a planning phase and an implementation phase.

“My administration is committed to continuing to listen, engage and work with our neighborhoods to address violent crime, particularly youth crime,” said Mayor Lyda Krewson. “This will require creative measures to develop more opportunities for youth. The Department of Justice Safe and Thriving grant will provide funding to help the Youth Violence Prevention Partnership expand its efforts in supporting at-risk youth, build resilience in high-crime neighborhoods, and lower rates of youth violence.”

The funding will be used to seek increased safety and the well-being and healthy development of children, youth, and families; reduce violence and promote healing from victimization and exposure to violence in the home, school and community; and reduce and sustain reductions in youth violence, specifically gun and gang violence.

“We are looking forward to continuing our work collaboratively with our partners to approach youth violence as a public health emergency, seeking to increase protective factors and reduce risk factors for our youth, families, and communities,” said Melba R. Moore acting director/commissioner of health.

In addition to the City of St. Louis Department of Health other key grant partners include Ready by 21 and Washington University School of Medicine. Other organizations that have signed a memorandum of understanding to participate include the Mental Health Board, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, St. Louis Public School District, Missouri Department of Social Services/Children’s Division, Affordable Housing Commission, and St. Louis Agency of Training and Employment.

“Creating a community where children are safe and nurtured is critical to their success in school and life,” said Katie Kaufmann, director of Ready By 21. “We are excited and grateful for the opportunities this grant will afford partner organizations and the City of St. Louis to implement strategies that will improve child well-being and safety in our neighborhoods.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention youth violence is a significant public health problem that affects thousands of young people each day, and in turn, their families, schools, and communities. Youth violence is preventable. The ultimate goal is to stop youth violence before it starts.