Association to Benefit Children: Family & Youth Development Grantee

In February 2017, Association to Benefit Children was selected to receive funds under the Criminal Justice Investment Initiative (CJII) in response to the Manhattan District Attorney Office’s request for proposals for family and youth development programs.

With these funds, Association to Benefit Children will run a comprehensive youth and family development program, Someone to Watch Over Me, that includes, but is not limited to, mental health services, out-of-school time programming, and parental engagement. The program will serve families in East Harlem with children up to age 21 and will work with children for several years as they grow into adolescence and adulthood.

Association to Benefit Children is one of several organizations to receive funds to strengthen families and prevent risk factors that affect youth development—such as academic problems, dropping out of school, and antisocial behavior. The effectiveness and efficiency of such programs is well–established. This program, along with the other initiatives being developed under CJII, form a comprehensive set of strategic investments that, together, will have a significant, lasting impact on public safety and justice reform in New York City.