Victorious Community Development and several community partners came together on August 22, 2024, to mark the launch of the Youth Community Violence Intervention Program. The program will provide enrichment and training to local students, families, and youth advocates who want to lead conversations about overcoming violence in Saginaw’s neighborhoods.
“We are beyond excited to introduce this initiative to the community,” said LaFrance Thomas, Program Coordinator and long-time Saginaw resident. “Like many other people in our community, I have personal experiences with violence and tragedy. This program will educate young minds and offer adults the knowledge they need to be better ambassadors of non-violence.”
The program launch was a celebration with a back-to-school theme, hosted in the Houghton Jones Neighborhood Association building at 1708 Johnson St. Over 184 students received free backpacks and school supplies. All attendees were eligible for raffles and other giveaways sponsored by businesses and non-profits, including the Youth Protection Council, Waffle Hut Food Truck, Colibri Hope Initiative, YMCA, Saginaw Police Department K-9 Unit, Daisey’s Dreams, and KMS Creative Group.
Attendees were also invited to complete a survey on their experiences with gun violence in Saginaw. Over 50 surveys were collected, and data will be used to ensure the program’s services align with local needs. Many survey respondents described their fear and anger over what can feel like a cycle of violence that has impacted Saginaw families for decades. Tragically, the need for the program was reiterated by a fatal gun violence incident in the early morning hours of August 22.
“Next steps with the program and data will be made available to the public very soon,” said Program Coordinator Thomas. “Many programs have tried and failed in Saginaw, and we are being intentional about making sure that doesn’t happen and making sure that any overlaps with existing programs draw us closer together as a community rather than driving us further apart.”
Thomas led hiring for the program, focusing on young adults with outstanding community outreach, service, and volunteering records. Nearly all staff also have first-hand experiences with violence in Saginaw. “Over the next few weeks, our staff and partners will meet to roll out tutoring, extracurricular activities, and mentoring opportunities for Saginaw students in grades K-12. We will also set dates for training opportunities that will help local leaders share their successes and learn new approaches to violence intervention.”
The Youth Community Violence Intervention Program is funded by the State of Michigan’s Community Policing Competitive Grant Program. These grants are intended to develop partnerships between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. Program Coordinator Thomas will oversee the implementation of research-based workshops and activities that support multi-agency strategies to solve community problems, focusing on building trust and relationships between Saginaw residents, law enforcement, and other organizations committed to local change.
The total grant created a number of additional jobs for Saginaw residents. In addition to programming, grant funds will be used to reopen the Trinity Lutheran Community Center facility located at 346 S. 9th St.
Victorious Community Development is a faith-based non-profit founded by the late Bishop Marvin C. Pryor. The non-profit organization strives to educate and empower families, to build safety, self-sufficiency, and create opportunities to rebuild this once-thriving community.
For more information about the Youth Community Violence Intervention Program, please contact Wardene Talley at talleywardene@gmail.com.
