Cuomo: $16 million to reduce gun violence in 20 cities across NYS

Initiative will directly assist 3,200 youth in Capital Region, Central New York, Finger Lakes, Long Island, Mid-Hudson and Western New York

√ DOL will partner with local workforce development boards and community partners to connect at-risk youth with good-paying, permanent jobs

√ Additional $16 million investment brings state's commitment to reducing gun violence to $154.7 million

√ Nonprofit agencies can refer individuals to this program HERE

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday announced $16 million to fund workforce training and job placement programs in 20 cities most impacted by gun violence across New York. This effort is another portion of the governor's gun violence disaster emergency and comprehensive strategy to build a safer state. The initiative is designed to treat gun violence as a public health crisis and includes short-term solutions as well as long-term strategies that focus on community-based intervention and prevention strategies to break the cycle of violence.

This builds on $12 million the governor announced on July 14 to provide 2,400 jobs to young workers in New York City. This new investment brings New York state's total commitment to reducing gun violence to $154.7 million.

"Gun violence is a public health crisis, in New York state and across the country, and we're attacking it with the same comprehensive, evidence-based approach we used to beat COVID. We know that simply telling kids to put the gun down doesn't work – we have to give them an alternative," Cuomo said. "This new funding, for job training and stable, good-paying career placement opportunities for our most vulnerable young people across New York state, does just that. It's an investment in our economy, in our recovery, and in our security. And it's a beacon of hope for a generation that too often feels bereft of it."

Under this new initiative, the New York State Department of Labor will partner with local workforce development boards in each area and their networks of community partners to provide job training, credentialing and career placement services to ultimately connect at-risk youth to good-paying, permanent jobs. Unemployed, underemployed and out-of-school youth ages 18-24 in areas of cities impacted by gun violence will be eligible.

State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, "Our local workforce development boards are proven partners with an extensive history of helping young people improve their lives through job training and placement. Gov. Cuomo is leading this charge through innovative short-term programs that dovetail to proven long-term solutions that will last for generations."

A breakdown of funding to each targeted city is available below:

A press release stated, “In addition to each area's existing network of community groups, youth will be referred by trusted community service providers with priority given to referrals from gun violence interveners and other antigun violence advocacy organizations. Services will also include support services and referrals to partner agencies to assist with housing, legal issues and other barriers to successful training and employment.

“Nonprofit agencies can now refer individuals who could benefit from and succeed in this program. Click here to be redirected to the online interest form, which will be sent securely to the Division of Employment and Workforce Solutions at NYSDOL, or call 1-833-324-0365.”