PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Everytown Community Safety Fund will be investing more than $2 million in 20 gun violence intervention organizations across the country.
One of the organizations is ManUpPHL, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit that works to address gun violence through mentorship opportunities for men and boys. It will be receiving $100,000 in funding.
Michael Sean Spence, managing director of Community Safety Initiatives with the fund, says the application process is very competitive and organizations must set forth a proposal for how they will track the funds and utilize the support.
“That's actually a very unique issue and barrier for many of our programs,” he said. “We have so many programs who've never received the grant before, never had to do grant reporting, may never have had to manage a six-figure grant. So we have to make sure people are ready. And fortunately, ManUp is one of those.”
ManUpPHL Executive Director Solomon Jones says this grant will allow them to build their infrastructure so they can meet the demand.
“Because, as you can imagine, for a program that pays stipends to its participants, that takes young people on cultural experiences, that provides mentoring and brings in a therapist and a financial advisor, and so many other people to address every aspect of their lives,” he said. “There is a great demand for what we do.”
According to the U.S. Surgeon General, a public health approach to gun-related injury and violence prevention requires immediate “investments in community‑based interventions and educational programs.”