Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) and City of Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown announced the City of Buffalo has been awarded a federal grant from the United States Department of Justice in the amount of $89,435 for the “Pathways Initiative,” a violence reduction program targeted toward Buffalo youth.

“Through this program the City identifies neighborhoods struggling with crime and steps in to teach children and teens in these at-risk areas how to deal with conflicts and avoid destructive behavior,” said Congressman Brian Higgins.  “Through this education we give young people the power to choose a positive path to their future.”

The Pathways Initiative is designed for young people between the ages of 11 and 18 who reside in or attend school in high-crime, high-poverty areas of the City.  This program will work through a collaborative community network to provide youth with non-violent solutions for conflict, with a focus on prevention, intervention, and case management.

"Thanks to the hard work of Congressman Higgins and the city's federal legislative delegation, we have more federal funds through the Pathways Initiative to help reduce violence and help at-risk youth avoid the lure of crime," said Mayor Brown. "My Administration will continue to fight for the resources we need to create viable and sustainable alternatives for city youth and help them toward a future free of violence and crime."

Working in concert with the Buffalo Police Department Mobile Response Unit, the Pathways Initiative is one of several programs the City is utilizing to address gang violence, teach conflict resolution, and provide alternatives to negative activities.  This specific funding will focus on youth residing in or attending school in the 14211, 14214 and 14215 zip codes, areas that saw the highest rates of juvenile arrests in 2006 and 2007.