FUND FOR THE CITY OF NEW YORK, INC.
Grant: $944,477 - Department of Justice - Sep. 3, 2009
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Award Description: Crown Heights Ceasefire Program The Crown Heights Community Mediation Center has received funding in the amount of $944,477 over 24 months under Category I of the Edward Byrne Memorial Competitive Grant Program to replicate the Chicago CeaseFire model - an evidence-based, public-health approach to reducing gun violence - in Crown Heights, Brooklyn in New York City. Crown Heights CeaseFire will utilize the five core components of the Chicago model: outreach, community mobilization, public education, faith-based involvement and criminal justice participation - as well as an employment component. The program's goal is to reduce gun violence in Crown Heights, Brooklyn by: 1) diverting high-risk individuals away from gun-crime related activities and linking them to responsive services; 2) developing and distributing public education materials to promote community intolerance of gun violence; 3) mobilizing the community around gun violence prevention efforts; 4) engaging faith-based leaders in anti-violence activities; 5) providing workforce development services for high risk individuals; and 6) facilitating data sharing and collaborative problem-solving among criminal justice partners. Crown Heights CeaseFire will stimulate the economy by creating or preserving 9 jobs, as well as creating a safer environment for commerce and overall economic development.
Project Description: During the reporting period, the Mediation Center began to create a Ceasefire hiring panel that will be responsible for selecting Crown Heights Ceasefire program staff. This 5-6 person hiring panel will include senior Mediation Center staff; a representative from local law enforcement; a local clergy member; and a representative from a local community-based organization. During the reporting period, candidates for these positions were identified. Mediation Center staff have also completed draft job descriptions for Crown Heights Ceasefire program staff, and the Mediation Center plans to hire new personnel for this program in the next reporting period. In addition, Mediation Center staff attended two technical assistance meetings with representatives from Chicago Project for Violence Prevention - the creators of the Ceasefire program model -to discuss the contours of the program, the budget allocations and the establishment of hiring protocols. As part of Crown Heights Ceasefire's community mobilization component, the Mediation Center has also begun working with other community-based organizations to plan an anti-gun violence concert event. The concert event, which is currently scheduled for November, will feature two respected hip-hop performers. Street outreach to publicize the event will be focused on the Crown Heights gun-violence 'hot-spot' where the event will take place.
Jobs Summary: During the reporting period, Recovery Act funds were used to retain the following positions: The Crown Heights Community Mediation Center project director position has been retained with ARRA funds. The project director, Ms. Amy Ellenbogen, is responsible for implementing and overseeing the Crown Heights CeaseFire program. Ms. Ellenbogen, working with deputy director Sharon-Ife Charles, will work closely with Chicago Project for Violence Prevention staff to establish hiring protocols for Crown Heights Ceasefire staff and work with local law enforcement officials, clergy, and elected officials to establish hiring panels for the selection of Crown Heights Ceasefire staff. In addition, she will supervise the training of current Mediation Center staff and newly-hired Ceasefire staff in the CeaseFire violence prevention model. Ms. Ellenbogen will also supervise the design and distribution of public education materials and will stabilize and maintain relationships with local programs experienced in placing formerly incarcerated individuals in employment. Ms. Ellenbogen will also work with justice system stakeholders to confirm data-sharing agreements. The Crown Heights Community Mediation Center deputy project director has been retained with ARRA funds. The deputy director, Ms. Sharon-Ife Charles, will be assisting the Mediation Center's Director in the training of Ceasefire program staff. In addition, Ms. Charles will supervise the Ceasefire Program Manager's organization of a clergy task force and assist the Mediation Center's director in confirming data-sharing agreements between the New York City Police Department, the New York City Department of Probation, and the New York State Division of Parole. (Total jobs reported: 0)
Project Status: Less Than 50% Completed
This award's data was last updated on Sep. 3, 2009. Help expand these official descriptions using the wiki below.
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