In the latest announcement, Governor Kathy Hochul revealed that close to $40 million has been granted for the forthcoming phase of the Youth Employment Program in New York. This initiative aims to combat gun violence by offering job placements and training to at-risk youth in various communities throughout the state. The program is a crucial part of New York State’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) Initiative, which functions in 21 counties encompassing most of the state’s population outside of NYC.

Governor Hochul emphasized her dedication to public safety and safeguarding vulnerable youth by bolstering this program. The allocated $38.8 million will fund year-round employment and training opportunities for nearly 2,500 low-income, at-risk youth between September 2024 and June 2025 in regions supported by the GIVE initiative. The distribution of funds by region is as follows:

– Capital Region: $2,513,157
– Central New York: $3,053,407
– Finger Lakes: $3,945,970
– Long Island: $7,941,588
– Mid-Hudson: $10,526,973
– Mohawk Valley: $1,339,113
– North Country: $511,728
– Southern Tier: $2,090,487
– Western New York: $6,877,577

The Youth Employment Program and GIVE Initiative in New York State have facilitated job placements and training for numerous young individuals. The previous phase of the program saw approximately 2,650 participants from January to June 2024, working in various sectors like schools, libraries, restaurants, and community organizations. In a recent update, Governor Hochul reported a 29 percent decrease in shooting incidents with injuries from January to July 2024 compared to the same period in the prior year.

The second phase of the Youth Employment Program will run from September to June for eligible youth aged between 14 and 20 with household incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. This program is a key aspect of New York’s efforts to empower young individuals and decrease gun violence, aligning with the state’s broader strategy for community development and safety.