$300,000 In Violence Prevention Grants Given To Community Organizations

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and the Office of Public Health and Safety awarded the second round grants aimed at preventing violence Wednesday.

Five organizations received $60,000 from the Community-Based Violence Prevention Partnership.

One recipient is Step-Up Incorporated. It offers re-entry services for adults. It will use the money to expand its partnership with Zealous Minds. J. Johnson, that group’s leader, says they aim to keep teens out of jail.    

“We offer them additional support, particularly to those who don't have those supports at home,” Johnson says. “And so we do our best to help them mentally, physically, and spiritually, to go out and be as successful as they can be.”

Zealous Minds provides mentors for students, mental health support and teaches anger management skills. It plans to work with students at Arsenal Tech and Washington high schools this year.

Other recipients include community organizations RecycleForce and B4U FALL, Violence Free Living, VOICES and Youth Employment System Indy Re-Engagement Centers.

“The most effective peacemakers in any neighborhood are the neighbors themselves,” Hogsett says.

The Community-Based Violence Prevention Partnership grant program started last year.

These grants and $2.75 million worth of Community Crime Prevention Grants address violence and crime in the city. The Central Indiana Community Foundation is taking Community Crime Prevention Grant applications until July 31 at 5 p.m.