INDIANAPOLIS — Five new violence reduction grants were awarded to local organizations. Since 2018, the program has decicated $300,000 per year to organizations working withe people most at risk of becoming a victim or perpetrator of violence. This year, American Rescue Plan money will fund an additional $140,000 to organizations providing targeted services addressing mental health challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and contributed to recent increases in violence in the city.
The organizations awarded funding include the Boys and Girls Club of Indianapolis PIVOT program, Brookside CDC, VOICES, Reach for Youth, and RecycleForce.
The announcement was made on Monday, Oct. 4, the same day the city recorded its 201st homicide for the year. This puts the city on track to surpass last year’s homicide rate of 245.