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LOCAL BUZZ The MVP Program: A partnership to address violence in Macon MACON IS WORKING HARD to improve violence and crime prevention and several organizations are trying out new ideas for promoting safety. Violent crime has been on the rise dramatically in the United States over the past two years. 2022 looks even less promising as Macon marked its 40th homicide this July, which is on track to surpass the record for homicides from prior years, according to The Macon Telegraph. This is not exclusively a Macon-Bibb problem and reflects major trends around the country since the pandemic, but Macon is taking strides to reduce its crime. As part of this effort to reduce crime, a collaborative group of county leaders and organizations established Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) in 2021. Based on input gleaned from community forums and surveys, Mayor Lester Miller and other community leaders formed a strategic plan with MVP at its center. The MVP initiative works alongside nonprofit or faith-based organizations that work to reduce the root causes of violent crime in the community. The strategic plan primarily targets six strategies for these organizations to get involved: improving education systems, investing in mental health resources, providing supervised activities for youth, giving support and accountability for parents, creating resources to intervene in domestic violence, and increasing access to transportation. As part of the MVP program, the Community Foundation has granted over $800,000 to 25 selected organizations, which were announced on June 14. These organizations vary widely in their individual goals, target audience, and involvement with crime prevention. The president of the Community Foundation, Kathryn Dennis, stated, "We look forward to working with these diverse organizations as they use these resources to make their good ideas a reality for our community." Mayor Miller also has high hopes for Macon's future, as "more than 50 organizations came to the table with good ideas and applied for MVP grants, showing that the people of our community are committed to this historic effort." Many of the selected organizations are excited to help the cause. Rebecca Richard, program manager at Pace Center for Girls, stated, "We are thrilled to be awarded this opportunity to expand our reach and serve more girls in Macon-Bibb County." Pace Center helps girls between the ages of 11-17 "heal from trauma, build pro-social skills and reduce involvement with unsafe behavior, especially girls that have a risk of involvement in the juvenile justice system," through counseling and case management and therapy programs. Ninety-nine percent of girls show improved behavior after getting involved. "Give yourself the credit you deserve and know that you can keep pushing," A Pace alumna, age 19, explained. "You can make it ." MVP recognizes that these kinds of wraparound support are essential aspects of stabilizing our community from violence. The MVP grant recipients are taking important next steps to help improve Macon's safety for the future. Look into the following organizations to learn how you can contribute to Macon's crime prevention efforts. — NORA JORGENSEN The 25 Grant Recipients: Lead with Literacy Crisis Line - Safe House of Central Georgia Pace Center for Girls, Inc. Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Heart of Georgia Chess and Community, Inc. Campus Clubs, Inc. Family Counseling Center of Central Georgia, Inc. Next Level Community Development Center Fathers Among Men (F.A.M.) Streetline Percussion, Inc. Unity-N-Community, Inc. Project 32 Bloomfield Church of God S.A.L.T. is Life, Inc. Girls Dig Deeper Initiative Centenary Community Ministries, Inc. Pulse: The Heartbeat of Macon U Create Macon Grow Macon, Inc. Central Georgia CASA, Inc. The Community CEO LLC Georgia Suns Youth Empowerment Faith in Action Holiness Church Macon Arts Alliance, Inc. Boy Scouts of America Central GA Council 30 maconmagazine.com | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022