New York, June 2026 – Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. has announced $300,000 in funding for ten community-based organizations to support youth gun violence prevention programs this summer. This marks the fifth consecutive year of investment in initiatives that provide young New Yorkers with opportunities in career readiness, self-expression, and community engagement.
The funding will benefit organizations including Avenues for Justice, Getting Out and Staying Out, Goddard Riverside Community Center, Harlem Mothers & Fathers S.A.V.E., Harlem School of the Arts, Living Redemption Community Development Corporation, Muslim Community Network, Not Another Child, SCAN Harbor, and Wheelchairs Against Guns. These groups will deliver hyperlocal services across neighborhoods such as Washington Heights, Harlem, East Harlem, and the Lower East Side, with programming running from June 29 to September 4.
Since the program’s launch in 2022, more than 560 young people have participated in initiatives ranging from mentorship and career training to creative projects addressing the root causes of violence. DA Bragg highlighted the impact, noting that shootings in Manhattan are down 60% and homicides have decreased 64% compared to 2021, thanks in part to collaboration with community partners.
The announcement coincides with Gun Violence Awareness Month, during which the DA’s Office will host events including a citywide gun buyback on June 13 and a webinar on 3D-printed firearms on June 25. Earlier this year, the Office successfully advocated for new legislation requiring 3D-printer manufacturers to block the printing of firearms in New York.
Community leaders praised the initiative as a vital investment in prevention and opportunity. As Assemblymember Robert Jackson stated, “When we invest in young people, we are not simply preventing violence — we are protecting futures, restoring hope, and affirming that every child deserves the chance to dream beyond survival.”
By channeling asset forfeiture funds into grassroots organizations, the Manhattan DA’s Office is reinforcing its commitment to building safer communities through youth empowerment and early intervention.
