Fulton County Commissioners approved $100,000 in funding to award grants to non-profit agencies providing services that support the six national milestones for the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance. The funds were approved during the Wednesday, July 10, 2019 meeting of the Board of Commissioners as a strategy for addressing the issue of filling opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color and ensuring that all young people can reach their full potential.

The Department of Purchasing and Contract Compliance, on behalf of the Department of Community Development’s Youth and Community Services Division will open the Competitive Application process and funding recommendations will be presented to the Board of Commissioners for consideration and final approval.

The six milestones established for grant recipients to meet while providing services include:

• Entering School Ready to Learn

• Reading at Grade Level by Third Grade

• Graduating from High School Ready for College and Career

• Completing Post-Secondary Education or Training

• Successfully Entering the Workforce

• Reducing Violence and Providing a Second Chance

The My Brother’s Keeper Alliance is an initiative of the Obama Foundation, which was founded during the administration of former President Barack Obama.

As additional support for the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, the Board of Commissioners approved $50,000 in matching funds to Juma Ventures, Inc. to support the “21ST Century Man Project”. This project was awarded $50,000 from the Obama Foundation as one of its inaugural My Brother’s Keeper Alliance Seed communities. The project will allow Juma to help young men of color to reach their education and career goals.

Juma serves as a non-profit social enterprise with programs that focus on low income youth, ages 16-24, who are at risk of disconnection from school and work.

For more information, the public can contact Carlos S. Thomas, Division Manager for the Youth and Community Services Division at 404-612-0749.