Contact: Darryl Kosciak at (336) 297-5019 or
Keith Lipscomb at (336) 373-3005

City of Greensboro Receives Major Grant Supporting Youth

GREENSBORO, NC -- (June 5, 2008) – The City of Greensboro has received a major grant from the Governor’s Crime Commission with the goal being to make youth a priority in the city. The grant totals $499,999 and is matched with $166,667 dollars in local funds.

The money will fund initiatives to provide opportunities for young people such as educational activities, summer job opportunities and access to athletic programs. Funds become available July 1, 2008 and will be distributed over two years.

The Greensboro Police Department, Police Athletic League, the Hope Project and Joblinks will share in providing these services. The Police Department will use about $57,000 to purchase equipment to supplement its youth educational activities. Keith Lipscomb, Youth and Assessment program manager for Joblinks, estimates the grant will provide jobs for at least 64 at-risk young people.

“It’s important to note that the major portion of this grant is for intervention activities, providing our young people positive activities,” said Police Capt. John Wolfe.
 
“The grant means a lot to our efforts to offer young people activities and education that prevents them from getting into trouble,” said Darryl Kosciak, Youth First Coordinator.
 
The grant is part of more than $1.25 million awarded to Guilford County by the Governor’s Crime Commission.

#  #  #

The City of Greensboro works in partnership with the community to build an increased quality of life for all residents by fostering an environment where inclusion, diversity, and trust are valued.  As the seventh largest employer in Greensboro, the City has a dedicated professional staff of 2700 employees who maintain four core values of honesty, integrity, stewardship, and respect.  The City of Greensboro is governed by a council-manager form of government where a mayor and eight council members act as the legislative body.  For more information on the City of Greensboro, please visit us online at www.greensboro-nc.gov.