Supporting Safer Communities Program implements Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s Community Violence Intervention Initiative
MIAMI – The Carrie Meek Foundation, Inc., has awarded an unprecedented $7.2 million in grant funding through the Supporting Safer Communities Grant Program (SSC Program), a component of Miami-Dade County’s Community Violence Intervention Initiative (CVI). The 82 awardees, selected through a community-informed, competitive evaluation process, will lead projects and programs that strengthen Miami-Dade County’s community-based response to gun violence and improve safety in neighborhoods.
The awards invest in four service areas of anti-violence work:
- High-risk interventions that deploy trusted, trained adults to safely identify, interrupt and address instances of violence;
- Reentry services that provide resources and opportunities for those returning from incarceration to successfully reintegrate into the community and achieve a positive, fresh start;
- Culturally sensitive mental health support for survivors and individuals directly and indirectly impacted by gun violence; and
- Grassroots, neighborhood-rooted efforts that address the three areas above and use anti-violence strategies to improve safety and well-being in communities.
“Miami-Dade County, in partnership with The Carrie Meek Foundation, is taking historic steps to curb gun violence,” said County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “Our residents deserve to live free from the threat of gun violence and so we are investing in a multi-pronged approach to not only reduce these crimes, but also address their underlying causes. Through the Supporting Safer Communities Program, we’re making meaningful investments in grassroots and community organizations that are working to reduce gun violence and ensure all residents can thrive.”
The SSC Program is a partnership between The Carrie Meek Foundation and Miami-Dade County’s Office of Neighborhood Safety. Sponsored by Kionne McGhee, District 9 County Commissioner, with unanimous support from the Board of County Commissioners, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava invested $8.9 million in the Community Violence Intervention Initiative to combat gun violence by increasing access to available resources, mobilizing residents and amplifying efforts to increase safety across Miami-Dade.
“Investing in our communities is an essential step towards building safer neighborhoods. The grants awarded through the Supporting Safer Communities Grant Program will empower local organizations to implement effective anti-violence strategies and address the root causes of gun violence,” said Commissioner McGhee. “I am proud to support these grassroots organizations and provide pathways for funding, as it aligns with my mission to create awareness and find solutions. Together, we can create a future where every resident of Miami-Dade County feels safe and supported.”
The Carrie Meek Foundation received 246 proposals to the SSC Program between April 5 and May 12, 2023. Nonprofits, grassroots groups, residents, small neighborhood-based organizations, faith-based organizations, civic and other community-serving institutions were eligible to apply. They collectively requested more than $83 million in funding. All proposals were evaluated by members of the community with a cross section of experience and knowledge in the program service areas. Awardees will have 18 months to complete their programs and projects.
“The 82 program awardees represent the best of Miami-Dade: bold leaders with a deep commitment to curbing gun violence and strengthening the neighborhoods they serve,” said Lucia Davis-Raiford, president and CEO of The Carrie Meek Foundation. “They are building coalitions, organizing response efforts, and meeting the needs of impacted communities block by block. This investment puts real resources where they are needed most, helping ensure ALL Miami-Dade residents have the opportunity to live a safe, fulfilling life.”
The Foundation will further invest in the organizations through capacity building, training, and technical assistance support to ensure they successfully implement their programs. Many projects will depend on community support. Visit CarrieMeekFoundation.org/SaferCommunity to learn more about the awardees and how to help advance their work.
