Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the expenditure of $70,000 by Department of Neighborhoods within the Neighborhood Grants fund for the purpose of awarding grants under the My Brother’s Keeper grants program.
In 2014 President Obama called on cities, non-profits, and the private sector to collaborate and close opportunity gaps for boys and young men of color (B&YMOC). Columbus was one of the first cities to answer this call. The city and partner organizations brought together more than 500 B&YMOC to ensure that Columbus’ My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) work was grounded in testimony from the target population. Numerous non-profit service providers, schools, and companies have created programs to serve vulnerable youth of color since the launch of the national MBK initiative. In 2015, Senator Sherrod Brown and former Chair of the National MBK initiative and Obama Cabinet Secretary Broderick Johnson hosted an event to highlight Columbus’ MBK initiative.
The purpose of the MBK grants is to financially support programs that have shown success in one of the four categories the Kirwan Institute identified as contributing to youth vulnerability: economics, safety, education, and health. Many nonprofits, churches, and community leaders have led the charge in our neighborhoods for years. The MBK Grants Program will allow those organizations to test innovative approaches to improve high school success. Round 1 grants engaged and expanded the MBK network in Columbus by supporting work focused on BYMOC. Round 2 grants will help project teams test ideas and learn what works. Grants may support work such as piloting initiatives at the organizational, individual or systemic levels.
Emergency action is requested in order to avoid any disruption in service for at-risk residents.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding is available within the Neighborhood Grants Fund 2220.
Title
To authorize an expenditure within the Neighborhoods Grant fund in support of the My Brother’s Keeper Grants Program; and to authorize the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into grant agreements with various service providers; and to declare an emergency ($70,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, in 2014 President Obama called on cities, non-profits, and the private sector to collaborate and close opportunity gaps for boys and young men of color; and
WHEREAS, numerous non-profit service providers, schools, and companies have created programs to serve vulnerable youth of color since the launch of the national My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) initiative; and
WHEREAS, Columbus City Council contracted with the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity to gather data on youth vulnerability, map community assets, and determine a strategic investment framework; and
WHEREAS, the MBK grant is to financially support programs that have shown success in one of the four Kirwan Institute identified as contributing to youth vulnerability: economics, safety, education, and health; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Neighborhoods will administer the competitive grants program based on the outcomes of four community/service provider conversations; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily business of the Department of Neighborhoods in that it is immediately necessary to authorize an expenditure within the Neighborhood Grants fund in support of the My Brother’s Keeper Grants Program and to authorize the Director to enter into grant agreements with service providers, for the preservation of the public health, safety and welfare; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods is authorized to enter into grant agreements with service providers under the My Brother’s Keeper Grants Program.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $70,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed pursuant to the administration of the MBK Grants Program, is hereby authorized in the Neighborhood Grant fund, Fund 2220, Grant 482000 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this legislation.
SECTION 5. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.