State grants benefit local anti-crime programs

LYNN-Two violence prevention grants totaling $96,366 for the Children’s Law Center and Straight Ahead Ministries in Lynn, and $12,600 for the Revere Cares Coalition were awarded on Dec. 20.The Massachusetts Department of Public Health distributed funding to 21 existing youth violence prevention coalitions, including the coalition in Revere, while the Edward Byrne Memorial Grant awarded Lynn with its funding.State Sen. Thomas M. McGee, D-Lynn, said the grant money would support anti-crime programs aimed at reducing crime at the local level.”It’s important that we recognize the great work that this program and other programs across the state have done to improve violence prevention. Both organizations have had a major impact on at risk youth in the Lynn community and the money will help them move forward with their Lynn Youth Re-entry Project.”Gov. Deval Patrick announced the funding Dec. 20 and said it would help to strengthen community anti-violence preventions and help replicate similar efforts in communities without programs.A total of $5.1 million in grants was distributed to programs throughout the state.Executive Director of the Children’s Law Center Jay McManus commented on the money earmarked for the center.”It will have a significant and positive impact on the youth in Lynn, and we’re grateful to Senator McGee and the members of the Lynn legislative delegation for ongoing support of our work.”Since 2002, the Lynn Re-entry Project has provided programs for incarcerated and gang affiliated youth in Boston and Lynn.Over the past five years, the program has provided hundreds of youth with educational services, job training, mentoring relationships and intensive case management.Executive Director of Straight Ahead Ministries Rev. Robb Zarges said he is excited to be able to continue the program with the help of the grant money.”We look forward to serving these youth returning to the North Shore from confinement and their families made possible by this funding,” he said.Assistant Director at Revere Cares Jessie Williams said the $12,600 in funding would fund a youth violence assessment and youth and adult retreat to create a plan of action for the future.”We’re focused on expanding the Revere Cares Coalition to address violence by providing a youth and adult collaboration,” she said.Williams said surveys would be distributed to parents and students participating in the assessment to gain information about how they view youth violence.”After we get the feedback, we’ll have a final youth violence prevention plan in place by June 30, 2008,” she said. “It’s a small amount of money, but it has allowed us to do a lot with it.”