Oakland Nonprofits Awarded $1.4M In Grants Aimed At Reducing Violence
OAKLAND (KCBS) — Five Oakland nonprofits will share $1.4 million in job creation grants with an eye toward reducing street violence.
While Tuesday's vote by the Workforce Investment Board was unanimous, there was disagreement on how the funds were divided.
The winners, drawn from a total of 32 requests, were Youth Radio, Civicorps, Lao Family, Youth Uprising and Youth Employment Partnership.
"The problem is we have a crime prevention plan and a cease fire plan for West Oakland, but we don't have an employment plan for West Oakland," said Marlon McWilson, an Alameda County School Board Trustee.
Oakland Non-Profits Awarded To Share $1.4 Million In Grants Aimed At Reducing Street Violence
Carla Kennedy, a teacher at Skyline High School, spoke of her former students at McClymonds High.
"They can actually hold on to the belief that if they continue to come to school that there will be another better option. They will no longer see dropping out as a viable option," Kennedy said.
Chairman Bryan Parker said a key objective of the jobs funding is reducing violence in East and West Oakland.
"Getting those youth back to work is a means of reducing the crime problem in our city," Parker said.
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