Denver Recognized Nationally For Innovative Work To Reduce Violence, Increase Opportunity Among Youth

Press release from the City and County of Denver:

September 25, 2020

Mayor Michael B. Hancock today accepted the Cities United ‘City’ Award for Denver’s longstanding work to confront youth violence and increase opportunities in under-resourced neighborhoods, including its ongoing work in approaching youth violence as a public health crisis on the Youth Violence Prevention Action Table (YVPAT). The award was presented virtually today at the organizations 7th annual convening.

“With the disproportionate impact of a pandemic paired with the economic downturn, young people have had their social infrastructure uprooted, and the uptick in youth violence is a call for us to collectively do more,” Mayor Hancock said in his remarks at the virtual Cities United Founder’s Awards. “I am honored – we are honored – that Cities United and its founding partner, the National League of Cities, recognize the innovative work we are doing to create healthy and hopeful communities for youth and a city where boys and young men of color can reach their full potential.”

Cities United supports a national network of mayors who are committed to reducing the epidemic of homicides and shootings among young Black men and boy ages 14 to 24 by 50 percent. Its ‘City” award is presented to an innovative Cities United partner city modeling the work and leading the field in creating safe, healthy and hopeful communities for Young Black men and boys, and their families.

The Cities United mission aligns with the My Brother’s Keeper initiative created by President Obama, which seeks to make the American Dream available to all boys and young men of color by eliminating gaps in their opportunities and outcomes. Denver adopted the model in 2014.

Mayor Hancock convened Denver’s YVPAT in 2019, challenging city departments, the courts, state and federal agencies, Denver Public Schools, Denver Health and community partners to come together to address youth violence holistically. Cities United is engaged as a partner and participant.

In the last few months, Denver has provided $125,000 in microgrant funding to nearly 20 community partners that were suffering financially, has launched ‘safe zones’ in partnership with those same organizations in neighborhoods hit hardest by youth violence, and has created a Youth Violence Prevention Council that gives youth a prominent voice on the YVPAT. Long-term, the YVPAT is in the process of developing a lasting, public health approach to youth violence prevention that crosses over city agencies – and city borders – and leverages external stakeholders and community partnerships in a strategy that will be outlined in a report by the end of the year.

This press release was produced by the City and County of Denver. The views expressed here are the author’s own.