Bucks County state Reps. Tina Davis, John Galloway and Perry Warren announced Freedom Neighborhood One has been approved for a $25,000 grant through the Violence Intervention and Prevention Grant Program. The grant will fund the FNO Youth Ambassador Program.
FNO is a nonprofit serving families and children in Lower Bucks County.
“This grant will empower students and develop the leaders of tomorrow by creating an environment where open dialogue is used to find solutions to problems encountered by young people,” said Davis. “The positive aspects of YAP include providing students with job skills and also allowing young people to look to and look up to peers for advice and answers.”
YAP is a 16-week program that teaches job skills, decreases unsupervised time, trains students to become experts at their own wellness, and provides conflict resolution skills that can be applied in real life community environments.
“Violence prevention requires a multi-faceted approach and YAP does a great job pulling it all together to deliver an effective program for the young people of our community,” said Galloway. “I am grateful to see grants like this coming to our community to help our young people succeed.”
Upon completion of the program, youth ambassadors are invited to join the Ambassadors Alumni Network to allow continued interaction.
“Reaching young people in a way that resonates with them is vital in helping them realize their potential,” said Warren. “This funding for the Youth Ambassador Program ensures FNO will be able to continue their great work in violence prevention and providing young people with the tools they need to grow and be successful members of their communities.”
The project was one of more than 300 applications submitted for state funding through the VIP Grant Program. Announced in September, the program is intended to support local intervention in using preventative measures to curb gun and group violence.
