U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $331,250 in federal funding for Family Services of Westchester in Westchester County. The funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Second Chance Act Strengthening Relationships Between Young Fathers, Young Mothers Program. Specifically, the Family Services of Westchester will use the funding to support a new initiative, Bringing Fathers Back, that aims to reduce recidivism and reinforce ties to family and community by providing mentors for young fathers who are returning home after incarceration.
“Programs like those sponsored by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention make an important difference in building strong family relationships and promoting healthy dynamics at home,” said Senator Schumer. “I will continue to fight to ensure that programs like this are fully funded and our parents and kids have the support they need to build stable, healthy homes.
“This investment will help Family Services of Westchester move forward with a new initiative to build family bonds in the community,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I will continue to fight for funding in the Senate to help support building safe and stable homes in the Hudson Valley.”
“In addition to overcoming the material problems of finding housing and jobs, people reentering the community after incarceration often face emotional reactions, such as anxiety and stress. Many of these young men never had a positive role model in their own lives and they often struggle to overcome poverty and low levels of job skills and education,” said Susan B. Wayne, FSW President and CEO. “By helping these young men become better parents and role models for their own children, FSW will contribute to the health and wellbeing of their families and communities.”
OJJDP provides national leadership, coordination, and resources to prevent and respond to juvenile delinquency and victimization. OJJDP supports states and communities in their efforts to develop and implement effective and coordinated prevention and intervention programs and to improve the juvenile justice system so that it protects public safety, holds youth appropriately accountable, and provides treatment and rehabilitative services tailored to the needs of juveniles and their families. Applicants for competitive discretionary grants can apply through www.grants.gov.