Oneida County, partnered with the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, launched the Oneida County Youth Investment Initiative and awarded its first series of grants totaling over $450,000 on Monday, Aug. 10 at the Oneida County Office Building in Utica.
Each of the eight organizations earning grants is working to promote youth development and prevent youth violence.
County Executive Anthony Picente and the Community Foundation, led by President and CEO Alicia Dicks, has been working for three years to connect the funding with the organizations.
The objectives each has been trying to meet include fostering youth development, strengthening family and community connections, and reducing factors that may contribute to violence.
“If you’re desperately working to pull people out of the water at some point you have to go upstream to stop them from falling in,” said Rev. Sharon Baugh, pastor/ordained elder of Hope Chapel AME Zion Church in Utica.
In her remarks to the gathering, Baugh challenged communities to learn why people are falling behind.
“Every young person in Oneida County deserves the opportunity to succeed in a safe, supportive environment and this initiative is about making that investment in their future,” Picente said in a statement. “In partnering with the Community Foundation, this county-created and led program will strengthen nonprofit organizations and community stakeholders that provide mentorship, guidance and positive opportunities for at-risk youth while addressing the root causes of youth violence.”
Oneida County Youth Investment Initiative grant recipients
The following collaborative and innovative programs involving nonprofits, schools, law enforcement and local government agencies received a total of $453,326 in grant funding:
Grant qualification aligns with action guide
Programs that received funding were required to align with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Youth Violence Prevention Resource for Action Guide, which represents a select group of strategies to help communities sharpen their approach to prevention.
The strategies outlined in the guide are intended to impact individual behaviors and the relationships, families, schools and communities that influence risk and protective factors for youth.
“This initiative reflects a shared commitment between Oneida County and the Community Foundation to invest in the well-being and future of our youth,” said Community Foundation President/CEO Alicia Dicks in a statement. “We know that lasting impact happens through collaboration, and we’re proud to assist Oneida County in launching this initiative that will create positive pathways, strengthen families and communities, and provide youth with the support they need to succeed.”
Founded in 1952, the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties envisions a vibrant region with opportunity for all. In fulfillment of its “Engage. Invest. Lead” mission, the Community Foundation has transformed decades of donor generosity into $150 million invested in social impact initiatives, collaborative leadership and grantmaking.
Cornhill pastor challenged county to make connections, build relationships
“Anybody who has it can give out food,” said Baugh. “We live there. These are our neighbors.”
Baugh spoke of the importance of making meaningful connections, building relationships, building community, building trust.”
“People come to us in their weakest moments,” reminded Baugh, “There must be trust.”
Baugh’s congregation received a $157K Youth Initiative Grant to support Hope Chapel’s many initiatives serving and impacting youth in Utica’s Cornhill community.
Concluded Picente in his statement, “These investments will help build stronger neighborhoods, safer communities and brighter futures for the next generation.”
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Oneida County awards $450K aimed to engage youth programs
Reporting by Cara Dolan Berry, Utica Observer Dispatch / Observer-Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cara Dolan Berry, Utica Observer Dispatch | USA TODAY Network
