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New anti-gun violence initiative launched in Rockaways

Councilman Donovan Richards announced on Wednesday a number of initiatives to combat gun violence in the Rockaways.

Several programs were funded by Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Gun Violence Crisis Management Systems, a citywide effort to reduce gun violence. The programs will act as preventative measures, engaging individuals most likely to be involved in gun violence and deploying interventions to curb violence before it occurs.

According to NYPD’s CompStat for the 101st Precinct, which covers the Rockaways, there have been two fatalities as a result of gun violence in the month of June.

“The expansion of New York City’s anti-gun violence initiative is instrumental in reducing crime in Far Rockaway,” Richards said. “With these partnerships, we can work together with the residents of the Rockaways to improve their quality of life and ensure that our communities are safer and more secure by getting at the root of these violent crimes.”

Safe Space, a nonprofit organization in Jamaica, received funding for its violence prevention and mental health programs. According to its website, the nonprofit helped more than 1,200 young adults avoid street violence during after-school hours in 2014, and provided mental health services to 752 community members in crisis.

The Rockaway Development Revitalization Corporation, which was founded in 1978, will use its Justice Plus Program to provide youth with job readiness skills.

“The funding of the Justice Plus Program will provide a range of work readiness activities with vital wraparound services,” said Nick Master, program director of Rockaway Development Revitalization Corporation. “The goal is the integration and advancement of participants into the world of competitive employment. The approach synergizes personal and professional development whose aim is to produce life-long career paths for participants in our community.”

ENACT, the last program to receive funding, will provide school conflict mediation in P.S./M.S. 183 in Rockaway Beach and P.S./M.S. 42 in Arverne and a violence interrupters program.

“ENACT, a community based organization and a longtime partner for many years with the Department of Education and the City Council, is honored to do this important work on anti-gun violence through Donovan Richards’ office,” said Diana Feldman, president and CEO of ENACT. “This sad reality of violence seeps into the hearts and souls of our children who need a sense of protection to grow. ENACT has been going into classrooms every day using our signature method of conflict resolution to help kids address difficult issues.”

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