Apply for violence prevention funds, Preckwinkle says

From staff reports

Community organizations engaged in violence prevention are invited to attend a series of virtual information sessions for the upcoming Gun Violence Prevention & Reduction Grant opportunity.

The information sessions will help local organizations understand the application process for nearly $50 million in funding that will be awarded in the city and suburban Cook County.

The Cook County Gun Violence Prevention & Reduction Grants are part of Cook County’s strategic plan for the nearly $1 billion of federal funding the county received from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), COVID-19 relief initiative.

To prepare for the successful roll out of this unprecedented level of funding, Cook County has engaged in a collaborative planning process with partner agencies at the City of Chicago and State of Illinois.

“These grants will be transformative for our communities most impacted by gun violence,” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said. “Local community organizations doing violence prevention work have a wealth of experience and an intimate understanding of the needs of our most at-risk residents. ARPA funding will enable us to support this exceptional work at the level that is needed to effectively and sustainably address the epidemic of gun violence.”

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle

The County’s Justice Advisory Council’s Gun Violence Prevention & Reduction Grants will fund a variety of violence prevention strategies including mental health and employment services, street outreach and case management as well as other programs which support residents at-risk of being involved in community violence.

The formal grant application period will begin March 8.

Virtual grant information sessions are open to the public and will cover eligibility criteria, the application process, and will provide an opportunity for questions.

The virtual information sessions will be held on:

• Tuesday, March 1, from 4 to 5 p.m.
• Wednesday March 2, from 2 to 3 p.m.
• Friday, March 4, from noon to 1 p.m.

For more information and to register, visit cookcountyil.gov/JACGrants.

“We hope to see a diverse group of organizations and residents from across the county participate in these sessions,” said Avik Das, Executive Director of the Justice Advisory Council. “The Justice Advisory Council supports a community-driven approach to addressing the ongoing epidemic of gun violence. We strive to partner with organizations large and small and believe that both established approaches and creative solutions will be needed to reduce violence and build safe and resilient communities for all.”