Mannion announces grant to support gun violence prevention

Senator John W. Mannion (SD-50) today announced $50,000 in state grants to support gun violence prevention programs in Central New York.

“We’ll never know just how many lives are saved through the youth intervention and gun violence prevention efforts underway in the City of Syracuse and across the region, but we know it can make a difference and we know we must continue to take action,” Mannion said. “The future of Central New York has never been brighter and every community can thrive but we must prioritize public safety and get a handle on the endemic gun crime. I value the work of these community partners and will continue to support their efforts to help kids and stop the violence.”

Mannion’s grant awards are:

Center for Court Innovation: $20,000

OG’s Against Violence Inc: $10,000

Syracuse Model Neighborhood Facility Inc: $10,000

City of Syracuse Mayor’s Office to Reduce Gun Violence: $10,000

These organizations will utilize the grants to strengthen existing youth impact teams, connect high-risk individuals with economic and educational opportunities, and expand access to mental health programs.

Mannion has secured $100,000 for Central New York gun violence prevention programs over the last two years.

“I’d like to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to Senator Mannion’s Office for his investments in the City of Syracuse’s gun violence intervention initiatives,” Lateef Johnson-Kinsey, director of the Mayor’s Office to Reduce Gun Violence, said. “This funding will go to greatly enhance the robust work we’re doing to optimize early intervention strategies and reduce violent crime city-wide.”

“On behalf of the SNUG Outreach Program, I would like to thank Senator Mannion for the operational support grant,” Michael Kaigler, program director for Syracuse Model Neighborhood Facility’s SNUG Program, said. “This grant provides our Program with the opportunity to purchase laptops for all of our Outreach staff, which will allow them to work more effectively. The grant fund will also provide the opportunity to take SNUG Participants to experience activities outside of their norm. For example, white water rafting and a rare opportunity to experience a NFL game.”

“The Center for Court Innovation is grateful to Sen. John Mannion for his support of the Syracuse Peacemaking Project,” Sarah Reckess, project director for the Upstate NY Office of the Center for Court Innovation, said. “The funds we receive through the Community Violence Intervention Act will allow our community justice center to continue to provide Syracuse’s Westside neighborhood with conflict resolution services, youth programming and community organizing.  This programming leads to safer streets for all of us.”

“OG’s Against Violence is a violence interruption organization specifically geared toward interrupting violence in the community,” Clifford Ryan, founder of Our Generation Against Violence, said. “To date, we have stopped 44 shootings, over 100 stabbings, and 1,082 fights. We also do community outreach, presentations to local schools and youth centers, and support other grassroots gun violence reduction organizations. This funding will be used for our violence interruption training program and hiring of additional staff members to do violence interruption within the community. We will also be purchasing more merchandise, including signs, t-shirts, bracelets, and buttons, to help spread awareness of OG’s work in the community. I am grateful and appreciative of Senator Mannion’s consistent support for our organization and the reduction of gun violence.”

The funding comes from the Community Violence Intervention Act (CVIA,) a gun violence intervention grant program included in the 2022-2023 enacted state budget.