June 24, 2025
Reducing and preventing gun violence requires different approaches. With June being Gun Violence Prevention Month comes a reminder that federal grant funding is available to help Michigan communities deploy programs tailored to their communities to address the causes of violence, provide support to at-risk individuals, and encourage safer environments.
“Every Michigander deserves to feel safe when they are at work, school or just walking down the street,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “As a former prosecutor, I’m committed to public safety and proud of the creative initiatives underway in many communities across our state to reduce gun violence. I encourage community organizations and governments to take advantage of all available grants and work with us to save lives, stop violence before it happens, and keep Michiganders safe.”
The (MSP) Grants and Community Services Division is accepting grant applications, as part of the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) - Phase Four, until July 15, 2025 at 12 p.m. Byrne SCIP furthers the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance mission of achieving safer communities by assisting state, local and tribal efforts to prevent or reduce crime and violence, particularly gun violence.
From January 2024 to present, more than $6.6 million has been awarded to 19 programs in Michigan, including:
City of Saginaw Police Department/Healing. Love. Engagement. Presence (H.E.L.P.)
H.E.L.P. identifies juveniles in need of intervention and mentoring, holds weekly sessions with youth involved in gun violence and utilizes a bi-weekly mentoring program for mentors and youth to work in small groups. H.E.L.P. also partners with a local boxing club to highlight conflict mediation and self-control.
The City of Inkster/Growth Works
Under this program, a crisis response team from Growth Works responds to youth-involved shootings (victim or suspect) alongside the Inkster Police Department. The team supports a community education program for Inkster youth to address the impact of gun violence on families, as well as prevention, reporting gun violence, and tackling the stigma associated with ‘snitching’. The juvenile’s family also has an opportunity to be involved in the program.
Kent County Sheriff’s Department/The Urban League of Western Michigan
Hosted an African American Male Achievement Conference at Grand Rapids Community College for a day of inspiration, learning, sharing, and caring for male students in high school from Grand Rapids, Kentwood, and Wyoming Public Schools. The conference engaged more than 800 youth.
Berrien County/The Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Michigan
Hosted Night Court, a month-long educational basketball league to connect youth with members of the Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Michigan on the topics of independent thinking and anger management. An average of 80 youth participated weekly in the program.
Marquette County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office/The National Association of Social Workers
Coordinating training on Michigan’s new firearm safety laws. Additionally, staff joined the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force subcommittees to address Extreme Risk Protection Orders, domestic violence firearm possession bans and new programs, policies, and legislation to tackle firearm-related intimate partner violence.
“These innovative programs show that by working together we can make a much larger impact on reducing gun violence here in our state,” said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the Michigan State Police. “Programs like these are helping reduce the impact of gun violence in thoughtful, targeted ways, one community at a time, hopefully leading to fewer injuries, deaths, and trauma for our residents.”
Grant applications must be from units of government in partnership with community-based organizations. Funding is to be used for the implementation of violence intervention programs and related education, particularly focusing on reducing gun violence in Michigan.
An application and supporting documents can be found on the MSP Byrne SCIP website.
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