Enhancing Youth Opportunity

The Congressionally Selected Awards Program, authorized by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-8), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects selected by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-8, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 09 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations Act.

The Greater Trenton Area YMCA proposes to use their FY 2009 Congressionally Selected Award to expand and significantly enhance afterschool and summer programming for youth aged 5 to 13 to provide a positive alternative to gang membership and a safe, healthy environment where the youth of the City of Trenton can learn new skills, increase self-confidence, and develop appropriate strategies and behaviors to succeed in school and in an urban environment. The overall goal will be to design and implement a comprehensive youth program, afterschool and during the summer, that will be based on proven strategies for success in increasing academic achievement, providing youth with interpersonal and social skills that reduce the tendency toward violence, and giving them the tools to build and live a healthy and creative lifestyle.

NCA/NCF