Brooklyn Org is investing $500,000 in five nonprofits advancing racial justice in the borough through its 2024 Spark Prize. Each organization will receive a $100,000 ‘no strings attached’ grant and be honored at the Spark Breakfast, a popular celebration on March 5, at the Brooklyn Museum.
The 2024 Spark Prize winners are: Drive Change, Neighbors in Action, Power of Two, Sure We Can and Youth Design Center.
“Our incredible borough is made up of movement makers and system shakers,” said Brooklyn Org President Dr. Jocelynne Rainey. “This year, Brooklyn Org is honored to partner with some of the most exemplary of these change leaders. From computer labs to recycling centers, these organizations are finding the beauty – and potential for change – in everything, and with our support, we're proud to help them get closer to their vision for a healthier, safer, more just Brooklyn.”
Drive Change partners with the food and hospitality industry to create supportive work environments and mentor justice-involved young people so that they can become the next generation of food leaders. Participants are enrolled in a paid four-month culinary training program where they work to receive industry certifications; learn about food activism in Black communities; network with other community-based organizations and take advantage of volunteer opportunities; receive financial education; and are connected to wraparound services including healing circles and restorative justice programs.
Neighbors in Action (NIA) provides Bedford-Stuyvesant and Crown Heights community members with a hub where they can seek resolutions for interpersonal conflict and be connected to resources that promote safety, healing, and wellness. NIA uses data to identify individuals at highest risk of gun violence and engages in case management, outreach, community mobilization, public education, and coalition-building to change community norms and reduce shootings. NIA’s Violence Interrupters and case workers specifically engage with young people to discuss how racial inequities impact their behavior and help them develop better alternatives.
Power of Two strives to reverse intergenerational trauma and adverse childhood experiences through parenting programs that help caregivers tap into their inherent potential to parent sensitively and nurture their children's developing brain during the first 1,000 days of life. By increasing positive interactions between parent and child and facilitating access to healthcare and housing, Power of Two aims to decrease maternal depression. Its partnerships with NYC elected officials, city organizations, and nonprofits maximize the likelihood that babies will have strong health outcomes and subsequent academic success.
Sure We Can (SWC) fosters a supportive, compassionate alternative for canners— people who collect empty beverage containers to then redeem for five cents each– to access redemption services that create pathways for their financial, social, and environmental empowerment. Fusing community building and economic development with culture and social justice, SWC is a safe space and hub for canners to redeem their collections and make social connections through hosting workshops, educational programming, and community gardening.
Youth Design Center works with disconnected BIPOC youth ages 14-24 years old to lower their barriers to entry into STEAM professions and increase their experience in the innovation economy. Its programs expose participants to the graphic design, digital media, and 3D design fields to help them sharpen their skills and build portfolios for job applications. Participants are encouraged to apply their new skills to address community needs through the course of their training.
