LEXINGTON, Ky. — In Lexington, 15 grassroots nonprofits aimed at reducing violence received grants from the city’s anti-violence initiative. The organizations will split $100,000 and aim to stop violence in various ways from art, football and counseling.

What You Need To Know

  • Fifteen nonprofits will split $100,000 from ONE Lexington and the city government 

  • The nonprofits have an emphasis on preventing youth from gun violence 

  • Lexington Ravens football provides a place for kids 6- to 12-years-old to play football 

  • The Ravens' main goal is keeping kids off the streets and teaching them respect, discipline and accountability 

The City of Lexington and ONE Lexington are hoping to grow nonprofits that work to keep youth away from violence.

“These are life changing events, and so we have a lot of faith in these nonprofits that they’re going to impact the future of a lot of youth," said Mayor Linda Gorton.

Gorton said the city can't prevent violence alone and these organizations work daily to prevent children from becoming victims or caught up in gun violence.

“It’s all about people. It’s a total focus on people and helping our youth get off a path of violence," Gorton said.

One of those organizations is the Lexington Ravens youth football team.

“Through football, which is where we meet these kids, it’s something that they love to do. We like to encourage them to be respectful, discipline, holding them accountable on the field and off the field," said Ravens president, Terry Hicks.

The Ravens are kids aged 6 through 12 to play football but the mentorship doesn’t end once they reach middle school.

“When they get into middle school and high school, it’s almost like a big brother program; like, hey man, you know what you’re supposed to be doing, let’s stick with it. Let’s keep it going," Hicks said.

With the grant Hicks said they provide more kids with a pass to a successful life and away from engaging in gun violence.

“We got a kid who just joined the National Guard, he’s in the Army now and out to boot camp. We got a couple kids that’s already in college; one in their second semester and one that started in January," Hicks said.

Thirty-four nonprofits applied for the grant and the 15 were selected by Community Action Council.

The other organizations that received funding are:

  • Operation Making a Change (OMAC) – A program created and designed by Gerald Gibson. The organization provides mentorship, coaching and support to teens and adults to enhance their self-awareness skills in order to break the cycle of problem behavior and make a sustainable behavior change. The program also seeks to enhance respect, discipline and accountability.
  • On the Move Art Studio – ​A mobile art room created in a refurbished vintage trailer that travels to underserved neighborhoods to host free arts classes for kids in central Kentucky.
  • Exhilarating Inc. – Provides programs and workshops designed to educate and empower youth and young adults. Our goal is to promote social and environmental development for participants and prevent homelessness and family breakdown. Exhilarating Inc. provides a safe, structured and holistic environment within our programs, which educate, empower and promote social and emotional development.
  • Marafiki Center – Creates opportunities for cross-cultural connection. We build a bridge of mutual understanding through education, events, and advocating for improved representation of the Swahili-speaking community.
  • Lexington Ravens Football Organization – A local youth football organization that provides opportunities for underserved youth. Our goal is to teach hard work, discipline and respect on and off the field.
  • The Black Male Working Academy – A nationally awarded program aimed to reach, teach and keep the black student population from failing. The vision of Black Male Working Academy is to enhance the quality of life and positively shape the future for African American males through education, collaboration, and exploration.
  • Sisters & Supporters Working Against Gun Violence – A grassroots nonprofit organization inspired by the deaths of Lexington children due to gun violence. The mission is to save the youth population by promoting awareness, education, and prevention of gun violence.
  • Legends Youth Boxing – Youth and community outreach through the sport of boxing. Licensed coaches are readily available to train youth looking for a positive alternative to gun violence. Gloves up, guns down!
  • VOYAGE (Voices of Youth Administering Global Education Movement) – a divine movement whose mission is to uplift and empower the have nots and the forgotten. Empowering youth to be leaders today and pave the way for a brighter future for themselves and those who follow in their footsteps by instilling divine principles that are universal to all religious ideologies and unify through these principles with all humankind.
  • Charlotte Court Inc. – In these programs, we target elementary and middle school students who struggle academically, behaviorally, and/or socially. Many of these students come from single home families and/or low-income households. Without the support of sponsors and donors, the majority of these students would not be able to participate in the programs.
  • The Lexington Stryders Club – Our mission is to make sure that athletes and athletes-in-training are prepared to perform. The volunteer coaching staff and parents are committed to offering sports training and experiences at all levels of readiness.
  • Kappa League – Kappa League was founded on Thursday, Feb. 12, 1969, by the Los Angeles Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., at Alain LeRoy Locke High School. Kappa Klub is a program focused on educational, occupational and social gain for its participants.
  • H.E.A.R.T.S. –  Outreach mentoring program for young adults and at risk youth in the greater Lexington community.
  • Resolve Fitness – Through fitness and wellness, we empower those who are overcoming adversity in many forms, breathing life into the resolve of others by providing mentorship, executive coaching, and personal development for marginalized individuals.
  • RadioLex – A mass media platform to amplify underrepresented local voices and promote an equitable, inclusive community. RADIOLEX is a go-to information resource for thousands of listeners in Lexington's underrepresented neighborhoods, especially our Black, Hispanic, Asian, Immigrant & Refugee, and LGBTQ+ communities, as well as others whose experiences and concerns are not represented in mainstream media.

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