Indianapolis Office of Public Health And Safety Awards Violence Prevention Grants

Indianapolis Office of Public Health and Safety announced grants Tuesday aimed at violence prevention. The funding goes to four community organizations.

This year a total of $300,000 will be split between RecycleForce, Voices, Edna Martin Christian Center and Community Action of Greater Indianapolis.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsetts said prevention of violence starts in the community.

"Each group shares one common goal, a safe, convenient, realistic route to peace in neighborhoods in Indianapolis," Hogsett said. 

The city examined nine organizations that applied for the funding. Researchers at IUPUI helped assess the applications.  The groups focus on a variety of issues from transitional employment to mental health services, according to Director of Community Violence Reduction Shonna Majors.

"So each partner brings a different lens to the work," Majors said. 

Hogsett said the organizations have proven track records.

"These funds will be used to support evidence based violence prevention programing and wrap around services," he said. 

The Hogsett administration launched the grant program in 2018.