SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A San Diego City Council commission was awarded $5 million to combat gang- and gun-related violence, the city announced Thursday.
The grant comes from the California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC), which provides support for adults and juvenile systems, violence reduction and public safety.
The funding will go towards the Gang Prevention and Intervention Commission’s Cohort 5 Program.
The grant is made possible by the CalVIP Grant Program, which is available to California cities and organizations that serve their community, according to the city.
“Today, we stand at a crossroads where faith and action converge to build safer and healthier communities,” Gang Prevention and Intervention Commission Executive Director Jesus Sandoval said. “Through this grant, the Peacemaker Project is equipped to continue in transforming lives, breaking cycles of violence, restoring hope and providing every young person a path to promise.”
The Peacemaker Project is a restorative justice effort that aims to prevent violence through trauma-informed care and cultural understanding.
The initiative also attempts to address the underlying causes of gang violence.
Cohort 4 of the program was awarded $3.65 million. In this phase, the city provided services for over 1,000 youth and young adults, along with their family members.
Those served were identified through law enforcement reports, County Probation referrals and family member requests.
“I am filled with gratitude for the trust placed in our work, and with unwavering conviction that, together, we can turn neighborhoods from places of fear to peace,” Sandoval added.
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