Three Central Brooklyn state lawmakers last week tagged teamed to secure grants to help curb gun violence in their respective districts.
Sen. Roxanne J. Persaud (SD 19), and Assembly Members Jaime Williams (59th A.D.) and N. Nick Perry (58th A.D.) jointly granted funding to East Flatbush Village, Inc., a community-based organization working to combat gun violence through community outreach, crisis response, and youth programming.
In addition to placing more interrupters in the community to stop senseless gun violence, East Flatbush Village, Inc., will have mentors working with youth age three through 18 on esteem building and healthy self-expression.
“It has been a pleasure to work with Governor Hochul’s Administration to stand up additional violence intervention programs in our district,” said Persaud. “This grant for East Flatbush Village, Inc., will fund increased credible messenger and outreach worker presence in ZIP codes with the highest levels of gun violence in Central & South Brooklyn, including Canarsie, East New York and Brownsville. Gun violence intervention and prevention saves lives”.
The grants totaling over $200,000 will target assistance in the prevention of youth being caught up in gun violence plaguing the state and city.
“With shootings rapidly increasing, it is incumbent on those who are elected to help prevent our youth from being caught up in this health crisis of gun violence,” said Williams.
Perry said all too often deadly street shootouts, domestic violence killings and suicides and the frequent use of guns are being used to solve disputes between neighbors and friends.
“Too many families have been torn apart by the scourge of gun violence in our neighborhoods. Lives lost, lives ruined, young minds scarred forever. It has therefore been a priority of mine to work to stem the tide of gun violence by supporting community groups like East Flatbush Village, Inc., that are on the ground, in the streets, doing the work which makes a positive impact on our community,” said Perry.
Eric Waterman, Co-Founder and Executive Director of East Flatbush Village, Inc., stated he is proud that East Flatbush Village is a trusted community stakeholder to have a great impact to combat gun violence.
“These resources will create opportunities to train staff, provide jobs, enhance community engagement efforts and bolster the wrap-around services we offer to support efforts in reducing gun violence,” Waterman said.
