Brooklyn organization Kings Against Violence Initiative has just received a check for $50,000 in funding from New York State. The funding was secured by State Sen. Andrew Gounardes and will go towards anti-violence work in the Gowanus and Wyckoff NYCHA residences.
Gounardes presented the check on Saturday at Brooklyn’s Local Neighborhood Stat meeting at Wyckoff Gardens Community Center in Boerum Hill.
“Decreasing gun violence and increasing community safety in our neighborhoods is a collaborative effort,” said Gounardes. “I applaud the work KAVI has been undertaking to meet and connect with young people where they are, and I look forward to seeing the impact that this investment will have in our community.”
Alongside presenting KAVI with a $50,000 check, the Local Neighborhood Stat meeting also featured a resource fair, free food, live music and a raffle. Additionally, community members participated in the generation of ideas for a $30,000 project for the NYCHA development at Wyckoff Gardens, funded by the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice.
Each project will focus on public safety as part of the Mayor’s Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety (MAP), a comprehensive neighborhood-based strategy to increase safety through coordinated crime reduction efforts at 15 NYCHA developments across New York City.
“KAVI is proud to stand with NYS Senator Gounardes on creating a healthier, safer Brooklyn,” said Ramik Williams, co-executive director of Kings Against Violence Initiative. “In these challenging and uncertain political times, it is reassuring to partner with Senator Gounardes. We look forward to deepening our relationship with him and his constituents.”
