On Monday, August 14, more than 30 nonprofit organizations came together to meet, learn about each other’s programs, and discuss community positives, challenges, and resources. These were the nonprofit organizations who were awarded funds in the second round of Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) grants.
“Thank you for being here and being part of Team Macon-Bibb. It is with the groups in this room that we will do the work that our community said is its top priority: improving public safety,” Mayor Lester Miller told them.
Each year, the organizations receiving grant funds gather at the beginning of the program to learn more about reporting how funds were spent, the importance of working together, and how to best communicate their efforts to the public.
“We want you all to work together because that will help you reach more people, you’ll have a greater impact on our neighborhoods, and each dollar spent can go further,” said Kathryn Dennis, President & CEO of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia. “This is the most important work happening in our community right now.”
The groups were also introduced to the MVP communications team that has been tasked with helping each organization reach their intended audience and show the public the work that is being done daily.
“We’re here to make sure the community knows what you’re doing and why it’s important so that you can focus on supporting our families and children,” Macon-Bibb Chief Communications Officer Chris Floore told them. “We must keep telling this story over and over…week to week…meaning you must have more than a single social media post or story in the media. We’re going to communicate consistently and constantly.”
Following the presentation, people met in small groups to introduce themselves and explain what their programs were designed to do for people and in neighborhoods. They also identified challenges they faced, identified resources in other organizations, and began talking about how they could work together in the coming year.
To read more about this year’s MVP organizations, click here to read the story from the original announcement: https://www.maconbibb.us/mvpgrants6923/.
About Macon Violence Prevention
Macon Violence Prevention is an evidence-based, multifaceted program created to address public safety in Macon-Bibb County. Supported and funded by the consolidated government, MVP is a community-wide effort that brings together elected officials, community leaders and representatives from more than 20 agencies, organizations, and departments.
The MVP program operates under the guidance of the MVP Strategic Plan, which was created in June of 2021 by community stakeholders and violent crime experts. The plan combines data and research with community feedback to identify and implement proven solutions that reduce violent crime and strengthen the community over time.
