New York is directing $20 million to community organizations serving young people in 10 cities, including Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Utica, through a violence-prevention program that lets local committees decide how money is distributed.
Each community will receive $2 million through Project RISE, supporting 136 programs and services focused on youth development, mental health, education, employment and the underlying causes of violence.
The other participating communities are Albany, Hempstead, Mount Vernon, Newburgh, Troy and Yonkers. The grants will support established organizations as well as smaller neighborhood programs that have not traditionally received state funding.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said the program is intended to connect young people with trusted local organizations before they enter the criminal justice system. The initiative is administered by the state Division of Criminal Justice Services.
Local committees decide how money is used
Each Project RISE community has a steering committee made up of local stakeholders. Those committees identify services needing support and decide where the community's $2 million allocation can have the greatest effect for young people and families.
Up to four lead organizations in each community receive state money, keep a portion for their own programs and distribute the balance to additional organizations. State officials said the model is designed to reach smaller groups and expand programs that have demonstrated local value.
Committees use what the state describes as a healing- and equity-centered approach. Their work includes identifying gaps, building organizations' capacity, sustaining programs that address factors contributing to violence and strengthening partnerships that respond when violence occurs.
The funded services include mentoring, mental health care, restorative practices, arts and sports, financial education, job training and academic support. Some programs help remove barriers to higher education and careers, while others help young people and families cope with grief and trauma after prolonged exposure to violence.
Program served 113,000 participants last year
Organizations supported by Project RISE provided nearly 1,600 programs and events to just over 113,000 participants during the funding year that ran from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
This is the fourth funding round for Albany, Buffalo, Mount Vernon, Newburgh, Rochester, Syracuse and Yonkers. Hempstead, Troy and Utica are receiving their second round.
The Division of Criminal Justice Services used demographic and poverty data from the American Community Survey, along with violent-crime and shooting data reported by local police departments, to select the original communities and expand the initiative.
The state agency also provides training and technical assistance and evaluates the programs for accountability and impact. Beyond grants, the division oversees law-enforcement training and accreditation, probation departments, alternatives to incarceration, youth justice policy and statewide crime-data analysis.
Officials point to regional prevention work
Buffalo's $2 million will support community groups working with young people as the city seeks to sustain recent reductions in gun violence. State Sen. April Baskin said youth opportunities and neighborhood organizations are part of the city's broader public-safety strategy.
Rochester lawmakers and Mayor Malik Evans said the funding will expand youth development, mental health and community programs intended to interrupt cycles of disputes, retaliation, incarceration and trauma. Assemblymember Harry Bronson said the city has seen a sustained decline in violence while using community-based approaches.
In Syracuse, Assemblymember Pamela Hunter said the money will help local organizations expand mentoring, mental health care, job training and trauma support. State Sen. Rachel May described the funding as one part of a coordinated violence-reduction effort involving community mentors and service providers.
Utica Mayor Michael Galime said Project RISE has backed groups able to engage young people through positive activities. Assemblymember Marianne Buttenschon said the Mohawk Valley work must combine prevention programs with efforts to address illegal gun use and adults who exploit young people.
Albany and Troy will also receive renewed support. Albany Mayor Dorcey Applyrs said the city's allocation will put resources in the hands of neighborhood organizations, while Troy Mayor Carmella Mantello said the funding will expand alternatives and support for young people and families.
State ties grants to wider public-safety spending
The Hochul administration said Project RISE is part of a prevention, intervention and enforcement strategy that has included nearly $4 billion in state spending since Hochul took office. That broader total includes support for law enforcement and community organizations working to reduce crime and gun violence.
Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado said the grants are meant to create support networks linking young people and families with mentors, education, employment and mental health services.
Local committees and lead organizations will now distribute the current round of funding and oversee the 136 supported programs, while the state continues training, technical assistance and evaluation.
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