Lexington city council members are being asked to approve the distribution of $50,000 in gun violence prevention grants. One Lexington aims to reduce youth violence by working with community partners. One Lexington Director Devine Carama said separate funding to support victim services can sometimes help to stop a cycle of violence.
“Even when you think of retaliatory violence, sometimes supporting survivors of gun violence can have an impact on whether that family wants to retaliate or not,” said Carama.
The overall program, with $150,000 in funding, includes stipends for volunteer street outreach workers, mini-grants to be distributed through schools, and the grants to nonprofit prevention programs. A separate $30,000 grant from the national non-profit Cities United is focusing on a strategic plan for reducing gun violence. Along with victim services, these monies can go to address gaps in re-entry efforts.
Larry Johnson is the community response coordinator with One Lexington.
Johnson said re-entry from incarceration can present various challenges.
“One they make connections while they’re inside that are not necessarily the most positive ones. And so, when they come out we want to make sure that they’re connected to some positive influence and positive programming,” said Johnson
Johnson said it’s important to have support when gun victims return to school, in-home services, trauma-informed care, and positive mentors.
