Newport News TOP: Teamwork, Options, and Pathways for Success - OJJDP FY13 Community-Based Violence Prevention Demonstration Program

OJJDP's State and Community Development (Invited) Awards program was established to provide grants and cooperative agreements to organizations that OJJDP has selected for funds in prior years. Through the Community-Based Violence Prevention Program (CBVP), OJJDP funds organizations working to reduce youth gun and gang violence through evidence-based models. These programs have been authorized by an Act appropriating funds for the Department of Justice.

Building the Faith in Our Neighborhoods is a collaborative effort between the City of Newport News and multiple community and faith-based partners with a mission to reduce and prevent youth violence, promote community empowerment and neighborhood change, and engage local faith leadership and institutions in the work of the OJJDP CBVP grant project. The project proposes to use a strength-based approach to affect positive social change in the Central and North districts of the City by engaging and empowering residents and the faith community to work together to take charge of their neighborhoods and building healthy relationships across City departments, the police, neighborhood residents, and the faith community. Strategies used to accomplish this will include coordinating the efforts of and building upon existing cross-sector partnerships and programs (to include local government, community, and faith-based partners); expanding and enhancing the Asset Based Community Development model implemented in identified neighborhoods; engaging faith leaders and institutions through implementing the Dignity Serves curriculum; and supporting and expanding ongoing efforts to enhance assets of youth and adult residents through community- and faith-based programs. Funds will also be used to enable participation in national CBVP technical assistance opportunities including the fall convening.

CA/NCF