Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a $20 million allocation to expand Project RISE (Respond, Invest, Sustain, Empower), an initiative aimed at addressing community violence and supporting at-risk youth and families in New York State. The funding will extend the program to three additional cities—Hempstead, Troy, and Utica—while continuing support in Albany, Buffalo, Mount Vernon, Newburgh, Rochester, Syracuse, and Yonkers.
Under the plan, each municipality will receive up to $2 million, distributed among local community-based organizations to enhance youth development programs, mental health services, education, and employment opportunities. These funds aim to address root causes of violence and support trauma recovery in areas heavily impacted by violent crime.
The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) will oversee the program through its Office of Youth Justice. Funding distribution was determined using a data-driven approach, analyzing crime data, poverty levels, and demographic information from the American Community Survey. Additionally, DCJS engaged with local stakeholders to identify specific community needs and barriers to accessing services.
In each location, a steering committee has been or will be established to guide funding allocation, ensure accountability, and monitor program outcomes. These committees are tasked with selecting lead organizations that will manage funding and distribute portions to smaller grassroots groups operating within the community.
For example, in Albany, four organizations—the Boys and Girls Club of the Capital Area, Albany Community Land Trust, Albany Trinity Alliance, and the Capital District YMCA—will each receive $500,000. Portions of these funds will then be distributed to smaller local organizations, including Hoods House of Hoops and Bridge Tha Gap. Similarly, in Buffalo, organizations like Open Buffalo and The Foundry will divide the funding among grassroots initiatives such as Feed Buffalo and Confident Girl Mentoring.
While the initiative targets community-building and youth development, accountability mechanisms are expected to track the effectiveness of the funding. Each steering committee will be responsible for evaluating outcomes and ensuring transparency in spending.
This $20 million allocation is part of a broader public safety strategy outlined in the Fiscal Year 2025 state budget, which includes $347 million for initiatives aimed at reducing gun violence and violent crime statewide. Other funded programs include the Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative, the SNUG Street Outreach program, and a network of Crime Analysis Centers.
The newly announced funding represents the second phase of Project RISE, with the three new cities currently working with DCJS to finalize their spending plans. As implementation progresses, stakeholders are expected to monitor the impact on local safety and community well-being.
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