The City of South Bend has announced the award of $343,000 to 50 local organizations for youth engagement initiatives and violence prevention programs.

The new grant program, managed by the Office of Community Initiatives, focuses on funding initiatives that provide mentorship for young people, help connect youth with employment training and opportunities, and conduct community outreach and youth engagement activities.

Recipients were scored and chosen by an 8-person selection committee that included: Antonius Northern, Kintae Lark, Jan Marable, Maggie Gibney, Shay Davis, Romona Bethany, Moe Scott, and Lari’onna Green.

The organizations receiving awards are:

• Rise Up Academy Restorative Justice Initiative
• Imani Unidad
• LTIA (Let’s Turn It Around)
• IMPower Center
• Mamas Against Violence
• Transformation Ministries: Iron Sharpens Iron
• Greater Impact
• Mentoring Moments
• Choices for Life South Bend
• Gentleman & Scholars, Inc.
• Free Your Wings, Inc.
• Emaculate Enterprise LLC
• Connect 2 Be The Change LTD
• Project Impact South Bend: CUC Community Commercial Kitchen
• Future Matters
• Ark Angels, Inc.
• The Strong Friend
• RHS Restorative Justice Student Leadership
• Big Brothers Big Sisters
• The Beacon Resource Center
• Justice for Michiana
• South Bend Chapter Indiana Black Expo, Inc.
• The Michiana Athletic and Rec. Association
• Project Impact South Bend, Inc./Sons and Daughters of Destiny
• Fathers First 2.0
• Dream Builders Project, Inc.
• Women’s Outreach Ministries: The Incubator
• Wright Chosen Ministries
• MLK Senior Men’s Club
• No Sleep Neighborhood Group: Studio/Arcade
• Big Chef Corey’s Junior Chef Program
• Joe Wingo Group
• Bully Me Badd
• Ocean of Opportunity
• Swella’s Ville
• IMP Operations LLP
• Gifted Genius Foundation
• Bully Boy Entertainment
• Scholarworkship
• Michiana Hub
• Faith in Indiana: Live Free South Bend
• Underground Basketball League (UB League)
• Legendary Era LLC
• Silence the Violence
• Eminence Dance
• Induce My Purpose Inc.
• Women Entrepreneurs Matter
• Style Girlz Beauty Salon and Empowerment Station
• Soldiers Volleyball
• Ford Strong