LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The state of Michigan is investing $7 million+ in community-led solutions to curb violence through grants from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The grants are being awarded to local organizations through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process.
MDHHS says in their press release that community violence, which includes homicide and non-fatal shootings, causes substantial harm and trauma to communities across Michigan, especially in racially segregated and historically disinvested neighborhoods. The MDHHS states, “Community violence continues to be a significant and growing public health problem. People who live in communities experiencing violence are at a higher risk for developing chronic diseases and may have limited opportunities to engage in healthy behaviors, such as using recreational spaces and accessing healthy food outlets.”
MORE NEWS: DOJ Sues Michigan to Stop Nessel’s Planned Climate Lawsuit Against Big Oil
Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director, says, “All Michigan residents should feel safe in their homes, schools and communities. This funding will help support local organizations and leaders as they work to prevent violence and reduce its adverse outcomes in their local communities.”
Applications for the grants were received from 26 organizations across the state with requests for more than $26 million in funding. The funding awarded will support two-year projects from Jan. 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2025.
The MDHHS listed the awardees and their grant usage as the following:
Gryphon Place ($1 million)
The awardee will focus on working with community residents and community partners in Kalamazoo County on street outreach, wraparound services for justice impacted youth and for support of the CVI (community violence intervention) Academy.
Michigan Public Health Institute ($1 million)
The awardee will focus on working with community residents and community partners in Ingham County to expand its current Advance Peace Model as well as work with the Lansing School District.
MORE NEWS: Trump EO Cuts Off Gravy Train for NPR, PBS
Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency ($1 million)
The awardee will focus on working with community residents and partners on street outreach, focused deterrence, wraparound services, as well as additional supports to Wayne County, focusing on the 9th Precinct.
Washtenaw County Sheriff ($999,440)
The awardee will focus on working with community residents and partners to expand its current Washtenaw County Life is Valuable Everyday (WeLIVE).
Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation ($900,000)
The awardee will focus on working with community residents and community partners to expand current program focusing on street outreach, case management, youth outreach, victim assistance, and workforce readiness and job training, focusing on Southwest Detroit and Downriver communities.
Migrant Legal Aid, Inc. ($200,080).
The awardee will focus on working with community residents and community partners on community outreach and victim services focusing on migrant farmworker communities of Allegan, Kent, Oceana, Newaygo and Ottawa counties.
Oakland Community Health Network ($999,910)
The awardee will focus working with community residents and partners in street outreach, reentry services and behavioral health supports in Oakland County.
Black Caucus Foundation of Michigan ($1 million)
The awardee will focus on working with community residents and community partners on building strength-based skill sets, behavioral health and additional supports for justice impacted and at-risk youth in the City of Detroit. The grant will fund the BCFM’s “Aim for Peace & Healing” project which will use school and community-based initiatives to foster violence, substance abuse, and associated adverse childhood experience prevention.
Michigan News Source reached out to the organizations who were awarded the grants and got a response back from the Black Caucus Foundation of Michigan. In their press release provided, Professor Nicole T. Stallworth, BCFM Operations & Training Executive, expressed gratitude to MDHHS, recognizing this grant as a pivotal step toward creating a self-sustaining culture of “peace and healing” in Detroit neighborhoods. “Together, we can empower youth, reduce violence, and foster positive community transformation.”
Funding for the grants was made possible through investments for Community Violence Intervention Programs included in Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024 budgets signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
