STOCKTON, Calif. — In a unanimous vote Tuesday night, Stockton City Council members approved more than $2 million in grants meant to help local youth.
The city awarded the grants, which range in amounts from $52,500 to $225,000, to 14 organizations.
"Man, this is huge tonight," said Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln moments before voting to approve the funding. "This is kind of like a full circle moment for City Council this year and it's not even the end of the year."
During a priority-setting meeting in February, council members made it a goal to work with partners to improve quality of life, increase literacy, develop the local workforce and expand youth programming.
Months later, the council approved the $2.086 million for local organizations and opened up an application for nonprofits to request the money.
"We received a total of 36 applications, requesting more than $19 million in support. 21 applications were deemed eligible during that initial staff review. The applications that were deemed ineligible were primarily due to incomplete applications," said Kris Farro, Stockton's Community Services director. "A review panel consisting of both internal and external industry professionals then reviewed and scored the 21 eligible applications."
The 14 applications that received a score of 80 or higher were considered for funding. During the meeting Tuesday, council members said they hope to be able to fund more youth-based organizations in the future.
"I'm sitting here knowing that lives have changed and Stockton is going to be better off as a result of these seeds that we've sown into the community," said Lincoln. "For those seven who weren't recipients, we're going to follow up with you, and this council priority is not going to change for the city of Stockton. We believe in you, we believe in this city and we believe in our future."
Here's how much money each organization was awarded and what they hope to offer with the new funding:
- $52,500- Read to Me, Stockton!
- Purchasing and distributing free books for children as old as five
- $67,989- Inspire Me Inc.
- In-person leadership programs and services for girls ages 12 to 17
- $86,434- Uplift All Foundation
- Free life skill and laundry services for homeless or economically disadvantaged youth at schools
- $127,413- Concrete Development Inc.
- Leadership development program for youth referred by the juvenile justice system
- $143,730- African American Chamber
- Support, guidance and resources for youth entrepreneurs
- $144,600- Improve Your Tomorrow
- Compassion, support and leadership for young men of color
- $149,136- City Center of San Joaquin
- Empowerment program and resources to improve the quality of life for teens aged 13 to 18
- $150,000- Mary Magdalene Community Services
- Improving graduation rates and building character, life skills, respect for authority, literacy, healthy lifestyles and service to the community
- $150,000- YMCA of San Joaquin
- Youth sports programs and development services
- $175,000- Community Partnership for Families of San Joaquin
- Case management, academic support, work experience and juvenile justice services for youth
- $181,621- San Joaquin County Child Abuse Prevention Council
- Support families with children who are living in homeless camps or tent cities
- $191,599- Women's Center-Youth & Family Services
- Shelter youth fleeing violence
- $223,012- The Amelia Ann Adams Whole Life Center
- Diversion programs, mental health and wellness initiatives and advocacy to increase safe spaces for youth
- $225,000- Children's Home of Stockton
- Housing, case management, workforce development, mental health services and job training for homeless youth ages 18 to 24 or those at-risk of becoming homeless
During the Tuesday night meeting, council members unanimously approved 15 other times including accepting a grant from FEMA to increase staffing at the Stockton Fire Department.
The FEMA grant, which comes on the heels of the city's unveiling of six new fire engines, will allow the Stockton Fire Department to hire seven additional full-time firefighters.
Watch more from ABC10: Peso Pluma concert expected to boost downtown Stockton economy
