Malden-Area Programs Addressing Youth Violence Get $757K State Grant

MALDEN, MA — A series of area programs addressing youth violence in Malden and surrounding communities is set to receive a new batch of state funding, officials announced last month.

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council is getting $757,147.86 to support 20 total programs across Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Quincy, Revere, Somerville and Winthrop. The funding comes via the Senator Charles E. Shannon, Jr. Community Safety Initiative in a recent round of awards totaling $10 million across Massachusetts.

State Shannon Community Safety Initiative money aims to support what officials recently described as “regional and multi-disciplinary approaches to youth violence intervention, prevention, enforcement, prosecution and reintegration services.”

Grant recipients will distribute their awarded money to various partnered agencies and programs as defined in individual grant applications.

Programs, officials said, will look to support youth and adults between the ages of 10 and 24 who are at risk of getting involved in a gang in communities already flagged as hot spots for gang activity.

Partnered organizations at the community level include law enforcement, social service providers and other intervention, prevention, suppression, youth programming and community mobilization programs, as noted in the state’s recent grant announcement.

The state announced recent grant awards on Dec. 6. In the announcement, Gov. Charlie Baker called Shannon Community Safety Initiative partnerships an “important part” of work to create safer communities.

“This approach is a model for serving our youth,” Lt. Governor Karyn Polito separately said.

State Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian noted the award, saying she was “pleased” to share word of this local funding.

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council has previously won funding through the Shannon Community Safety Initiative.

A 2021 assessment of communities in the Metropolitan Area Planning Council region identified anywhere from two to 15 street gangs in each individual community. The average gang, according to the assessment, included 72 active members, with 68% of active members being under the age of 25.

The 2021 assessment said gangs use social media and neighborhood affiliation in recruitment efforts.

Pressing problems, the assessment said, included gun distribution, violence and drug distribution.