Karen Lin, Senior Photographer

As part of New Haven’s ongoing efforts to curb youth violence, city lawmakers approved hundreds of thousands of dollars from the state Wednesday night. 

The state grants, totaling $360,000, are aimed at bolstering two key programs: the Youth at Work employment initiative and Youth Connect support services. The Board of Alders’ Youth Services Committee heard from officials in the Youth and Recreation Department. Director Gwendolyn B. Williams and Youth Services Specialist Ronald Huggins who explained the transformative effect that these programs have had, ultimately convincing the five committee members present to accept the funds.

“I think it is really important to support all of the Youth Violence Prevention grants,” Carmen Rodríguez, East Rock alder and Youth Services Committee member said. “We all know that it’s easy to say we need to do different things for the kids in a city that has challenges. It’s clear that the state is recognizing that we’re doing the work here. I want us to continue to support any further programming.”

The state grants were sent by the Connecticut Judicial Branch-Court Support Services Division Youth Violence Prevention Initiative and the Connecticut Department of Children and Families.

The funds will support the Youth Connect Support program, an intervention program geared toward high-risk youth. The program aims to improve future outcomes for children by partnering with various organizations around New Haven to achieve increased academic involvement and better mental health for those involved.

With the newly received funds, the program will be able to employ eight navigators to run the program. Unlike traditional interventions, this initiative does not rely on licensed social workers; instead, trained professionals — navigators — work one-on-one with New Haven’s most at-risk youth to connect them with essential resources and opportunities. Navigators will receive funds to cover any activities they do with the involved youth. 

The approved funds will also be used to cover the Youth @ Work program. This program serves as a bridge between youth and employers in New Haven, allowing them to work 10 hours a week at minimum wage. 

According to Williams and Huggins, these programs have already made strides in pacifying downtown, reducing fights and loitering. However, by instilling a sense of purpose and direction in participants, their effects are expected to be even more far-reaching. Williams reported seeing an increase in school attendance, emphasizing that students who previously failed their classes now achieve B’s and C’s – largely thanks to the program’s unique methods, he said. 

“You have to meet them where they are at,” Williams said. “We have to be unconventional, everything does not fit for [each] kid. I need your support on that, for others to understand that there’s no one answer. Sometimes we just have to try different things in order to get them to the goal.”

The Committee members present voted unanimously in support of accepting the funding for the programs, expressing their appreciation for the work of the Youth Services Department. 

Discussion of the items was lively, with committee members making positive remarks about the progress of the programs. 

“Whenever we get extra money from anywhere to support us we need to make sure we’re utilizing the funds in a way that’s explained,” Tyisha Walker-Myers, Board of Alders president and committee vice-chair said. “The youth department always does that. So we should continue accepting all the money that comes their way.” 

The next Youth Services Committee meeting will be held on Nov. 1.